Gibbs: Ozil can lead Arsenal to a trophy this season

The England international feels the former Real Madrid playmaker can help inspire the Gunners to claim their first trophy since the 2004-05 campaign

Kieran Gibbs believes Mesut Ozil has given Arsenal the belief that they can finally end their trophy drought this season.

The Germany international joined the Gunners from Real Madrid for a club-record £42 million in the summer.

Ozil, who missed a penalty during Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League defeat of Marseille on Tuesday, is still adjusting to life in England, but Gibbs feels the club are capable of winning their first trophy since 2005 following his arrival.

Gibbs told the Daily Mirror: “Mesut Ozil has raised the club, raised the dressing room.

“A player like that will give you a lift. We’re happy that he’s there. He gives you something extra, something special. I’m happy to be working with him.

“It’s still really early, but I think everyone can see that there’s something special that we can do.

“A trophy is the objective, obviously. But a lot of the trophy competitions domestically haven’t really started.

“But we know we want to win something this season – it’s really important and we feel we can do it. There’s a lot of confidence in the dressing room and in the squad."

Gibbs has established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back this season, despite the arrival of Nacho Monreal in January.

However, the England international revealed that he had never even played in the position until his Arsenal debut against Sheffield United in 2007.

“Literally, my first ever game at left-back was for the first team,” he said. “I’d never played there before. I still don’t really know how it came about! I was told the day before because we had a few injuries.

“It was in the Carling Cup. I didn’t have too much time to think about it. We won 3-0 and it was after that the manager said he wanted me to play there from now on.”