Arsene Wenger Jokes About Mesut Ozil Penalty Miss and Hints at Arsenal Rotation

Arsene Wenger chose to take a light-hearted approach to Mesut Ozil’s penalty miss against Marseille, which ultimately did not cost Arsenal in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory.

Ozil takes a short approach to penalties, which can look effortless when he scores, but lazy when he misses.

Clearly Wenger was not angered by the nonchalant attempt at the Emirates, joking that it’s nice to see a German footballer miss a penalty, per David Kent of the Daily Mail:

"

That's good news for England maybe!

Everyone can miss a penalty. His run up to the ball was short, but that's the way he takes them.

"

Arsenal led 1-0 when Ozil produced his soft attempt from 12 yards. Jack Wilshere had earlier produced a sparkling curling effort to hand them the lead inside the first minute.

Wilshere later added a second, from Ozil’s pass, to complete a comfortable win for the Gunners in Group F.

However, Borussia Dortmund’s win over Napoli ensures qualification still isn’t secured for Arsenal. If they lose 3-0 at Napoli in their final game, which isn’t unthinkable, Wenger’s men could still fall to third in their group.

For that reason, the Frenchman cannot rest his key players in Italy, depriving him of a key chance to recharge batteries ahead of the busy Christmas period.

It has been well documented that Wenger is heavily reliant upon Olivier Giroud up front, while he only has Thomas Vermaelen as natural cover for his centre-backs.

Wenger admits he will have to rotate in order to nurse his squad through a period in the season when their bodies will be heavily examined. Kent provides the quotes:

"

I will have to play a full-strength team against Napoli, I can't take any risks.

We have three Premier League games before then so I have to use the squad well to make sure we don't drop points in the league and go to Napoli with a strong team.

"

Rotation is the fear of any football fan, particularly when their side is showing title-winning form. Arsenal have been fluid and cohesive this term, so the threat of chop and change only risks disturbing that rhythm.

However, Wenger takes a scientific approach to football management. He knows a heavy workload could lead to serious injury for key players like Giroud, so he will take calculated risks in the hope Arsenal can win certain games without their first-choice XI.

Prior to that Napoli game, Arsenal travel to Cardiff before home games with Hull and Everton.

Cardiff have already upset both Manchester clubs this term, so Wenger will likely field his best team. However, he may view strugglers Hull as a chance to rest star names, and he may even roll the dice by doing likewise against Everton.

Following the visit of the Toffees, Arsenal face Napoli, Manchester City and Chelsea consecutively, so it will be fascinating to see how Wenger attempts to plot his way through a crucial period in the campaign.