Mesut Ozil: I am convinced I can win the Ballon d'Or in the next few years

Arsenal playmaker says the Premier League has made him 'harder'

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil (Getty Images)

Arsenal record signing Mesut Ozil says he "is convinced he can win the Ballon d'Or" in the next few years.

The German moved to Arsenal for £42.5m from Real Madrid in September 2013, and has largely failed to justify his price tag since the move. The 26-year-old, however, has not lost the confidence in his ability, and says that playing in the England's top flight has made him tougher.

“If I continue to develop well and stay healthy, I would like, in the next few years, to hold the Ballon D’Or in my hands,” he told Sport Bild. “I am convinced that it can happen.

“I’m feeling very positive. I’m a world champion and I play at a top club in the Premier League. There is much more of a physical test here than there is in Spain or in the Bundesliga – I constantly have bruises, but that makes me harder. I feel physically better than ever.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are understood to be relaxed over Ozil's conduct after the midfielder was pictured clubbing in Berlin just hours after missing the 2-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle with illness.

The World Cup winner was left out of the Gunners’ squad for the trip to St James’ Park and was allowed to fly to Germany early to aid his recovery ahead of the national team’s international friendly against Australia on Wednesday and their 2016 European Championship qualifier against Georgia on Sunday.

It appeared Ozil made the most of his early trip home by paying a visit to a nightclub in the German capital.

Arsene Wenger is expected to talk with Ozil about the inconvenient images, however it's understood no formal sanctions will be taken against the 26-year-old and that he is not guilty of any serious wrongdoing.