Arsenal Transfer News: Mesut Ozil Denies Exit Rumours amid Edinson Cavani Talk

Mesut Ozil has revealed heading back to the Bundesliga "is not an option" as he attempts to work harder than ever to make his Arsenal career a success.

The German playmaker enjoyed a bright start upon joining the Gunners in 2013 but has struggled to remain consistent among a handful of injury problems. He has been accused of being "lazy," with Neil Ashton of the MailOnline saying in March 2014 that "you wouldn't pay two-bob for him." This season, he has once again put in a handful of excellent and poor performances.

Ozil isn't willing to give up, though, reported by Richard Parry of the London Evening Standard:

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A return to Germany is not an option for me right now. I am really happy at Arsenal and I want this to continue. I played in the Bundesliga and at Real Madrid. But the English Premier League is the strongest league in the world. Opponents never give up. Even if we're 3-0 in front with Arsenal, the players never give up and fight until the very last second.

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Ozil believes he must "work harder" to reach his goals at the Emirates but also insists he doesn't need to answer his critics.

"I don't need to prove them anything," he said, reported by Parry. "That's why I'm working as hard as I never worked before in my life. My body is more stable and I feel fresher. You need that in England."

Incidentally, Ozil received plenty of praise during the 2-0 UEFA Champions League second-leg win over Monaco. Arsenal dropped out of the tournament at the round-of-16 stage due to away goals prevailing after a 3-3 aggregate scoreline, but Ozil put in a smart performance at the Stade Louis II, per Martyn Ziegler of the Press Association:

L'Equipe agreed with Ziegler, tweeted by Sport Witness:

Former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke suggested even when he plays well, Ozil's style leaves him open to criticism: 

Ozil's position in Wenger's lineup is destined to come under scrutiny when the summer arrives. Wenger is currently linked with a move for players like Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani and Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, per the Daily Mail (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express).

Traditionally a centre-forward, Cavani continues to be used on the flank by PSG boss Laurent Blanc. Wenger could switch to two strikers or utilise him out wide if the reported £35 million switch goes ahead, per Chapman, a move that could force Ozil out of the side. Schneiderlin's arrival would see Arsenal tighten up in midfield, perhaps pushing one of the team's creative midfielders onto the bench.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and James McNicholas recently wondered whether Jack Wilshere should be sold to make room:

Ozil is one of the first candidates to be sacrificed when Wenger wants to reinforce Arsenal's solidarity and physicality, but it's easy to underestimate his effort for the club. The German has managed three goals and five assists in 14 Premier League appearances this season, per WhoScored.com, significantly contributing every 1.75 matches.

He flits in and out of games, but Ozil has always been the type of player who should be judged on flashes of match-defining brilliance rather than noticeable industry. Danny Welbeck was signed to perform the opposite function, but there's no doubt Ozil will continue to frustrate many during his time at Arsenal.

The 26-year-old has his heart set on delivering for the club. Now that Wenger is willing to spend hefty sums on world-class players—defined by Ozil and Alexis Sanchez arriving across the last two summers—it is likely Arsenal's overall quality will improve in time for next season.

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With someone like Cavani playing ahead of him on a weekly basis, Ozil has the quality to make a longer-lasting positive impression on the division.