Özil’s specialised diet going to plan after visible muscle increase

Mesut Özil’s fitness plan is starting to pay dividends at Arsenal, almost six months after joining the Gunners’ from Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old, who signed for a club record £42.4 million, was put on a specialised diet plan and told to increase his gym work following his arrival at the club in August.

Özil’s physique has seen him struggle against bigger opponents with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger recently confirming that he’s been working on improving his physique in the gym through extra weight training.

Highly-rated youngster Gedion Zelalem was also put on a similar programme at the start of the season, while Aaron Ramsey is another player who has reaped the rewards of an extensive weight gain plan.

German playmaker Özil has attracted criticism for some of his performances this season, despite producing the goods as far as numbers are concerned – scoring five goals and notching 11 assists in 33 outings.

Furthermore, the former Werder Bremen midfielder has created 63 goalscoring chances for Arsenal in the league this season, a figure only bettered by Chelsea’s Eden Hazard – who is in his second season in England and is enjoying arguably his best professional campaign.