I would pay £42m for Ozil again

Arsene Wenger has insisted he would pay £42 million for Mesut Ozil again despite the Arsenal record signing's below-par form.

The World Cup winner enjoyed a bright start to life at the Emirates Stadium after joining from Real Madrid last summer, but the level of his performances quickly tailed off as the season drew on.

Wenger has attempted to distract focus from Ozil's price tag, adding that it is down to the whole team to play well rather than focus on one individual.



"I would pay the money again. Of course. You expect the team to play well and not to put the responsibility on any one player to be a magician that does not exist any more in the modern game," he told reporters.

"Of course I have to get the best out of him because of his price. But I feel that responsibility exactly the same for a player who cost £1. He did not pay the £42m himself.

"When I see a talent, for any player, I think how can I get the best out of him. That is not linked with price. It is just a coincidence that the market is like it is."

Ozil was pinpointed by German newpaperBildas Arsenal's main failure during Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund, criticism that Wenger has questioned.

"Why should he be a scapegoat? For what? We've lost one game since April 1. Let's be realistic," he added.

"They shouldn't be concerned and just support him. I understand that you want your best players always to make the difference in every single game. We all go through period where we are a bit less good. You help.

"A club is a union between players, supporters and directors. You have to be united and sometimes go through periods together where it goes a bit less well."