Wenger ‘surprised’ by Real’s Ozil bitterness

PREMIER LEAGUE:

The German playmaker’s £43 million move on transfer deadline day was met with disbelief from several former team-mates at the Bernabeu, with Ozil suggesting he felt no longer central to the plans of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti following the world-record signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham. However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has subsequently claimed Ozil in fact asked to leave the Spanish club because “he couldn’t handle the pressure at Madrid”.

Wenger insists Ozil should have no reason to defend himself.