Soccer

Arsene Wenger tells Mesut Ozil not to dwell on penalty miss

Arsenal boss says midfielder should not be afraid to take spot kick in the future

Mesut Ozil’s penalty kick is saved by Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during the Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
Mesut Ozil’s penalty kick is saved by Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during the Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
Fri Feb 21 2014 - 11:35

Mesut Ozil should not dwell on his penalty miss against Bayern Munich and should not be afraid to try another one when he is ready, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners' club-record signing apologised via Facebook for what proved to be a costly error when his chipped spot-kick was saved by German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after eight minutes in the Champions League last 16 first leg clash at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Bundesliga side went on to win 2-0 after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for clattering Arjen Robben in the box. Although their resultant penalty was also missed, second-half goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller all but ended Arsenal's European ambitions for another season.

Ozil made a promising start following his €50 million signing from Real Madrid at the end of the summer transfer window, but has struggled to make an impact in the last few months.

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Wenger says the latest setback must not be allowed to play on the Germany international’s mind.

“Is he over it now? Certainly not, because 48 hours is a short time to get over that, but it is part of the job as well to deal with disappointment and to show that you can respond to it,” the Arsenal manager said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Sunderland.

“He apologised after the game, but I don’t think people are shocked by the fact that he missed a penalty because Bayern missed a penalty as well.

“He takes his penalties in an unusual way so people are maybe a little bit less understanding, but everybody can miss penalties.

“It is his way, you accept it or not. It’s his way of taking penalties like that.”

Wenger confirmed that the club have reprimanded goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for his offensive hand gesture when leaving the pitch after being sent off on Wednesday night.

Uefa is yet to confirm whether the matter will lead to any formal disciplinary charges, but Wenger said: “We will deal with that internally. We don’t agree with that.

“Yes, (the gesture) was frustration, but we are professionals, me included, and we have always to master reactions. Wojciech is part of that as well.”