Barca star likens Mesut Ozil to Lionel Messi

Mesut Ozil: hailed by Ter Stegen

Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has likened Mesut Ozil to Barca superstar Lionel Messi.

Ozil is enjoying a stellar season for the Gunners and has scored five goals and created 18 assists in 27 Premier League appearances this season. The Germany playmaker is on course to break Thierry Henry’s Premier League assist record, whilst he has proven crucial and scored in the 2-0 October victory over Bayern Munich and he will need to be in good form if Arsenal have any chance of upsetting Luis Enrique’s men on Wednesday.

“As a footballer, Ozil is a player who can do unthinkable things, just like Messi,” said Ter Stegen, who is a Germany team-mate of Ozil.

“He is impressive, and we will have to be alert that he does not harm us. I have played with him two or three times and he is a very significant player for the German national team and can do incredible things.”

“Everyone knows Leo Messi is the best player in the world,” said Ter Stegen. “His presence stands out on the pitch and he has always tricks that no-one knows about.

“It is great for us and like all the players on the pitch he wants to win and we want to do everything to help him.

“He is one of the best with free-kicks, he can shoot from everywhere, you never know where it will go and his attitude is incredible.”

The 23-year-old stopper has refused to write-off Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 chances, despite being 2-0 down from the first leg at The Emirates.

“They are able to come back as they are still one of the best teams in Europe. We have to play as we always do, without being afraid.

“We have the edge to go to the quarter-finals and we have to win. Alexis Sanchez is also a high quality player and they will try and counter-attack. They are very good at it. It will be a very difficult game.

“In the first-leg, they had chances to score but we won and that’s what matters. We want the same again. We want to keep possession and keep out positions.”