Ozil would not have taken FA Cup final penalty, admits Wenger

The Arsenal boss has revealed the club record signing would have been left off the list of spot kick-takers against Hull, had Aaron Ramsey's goal not sealed the win in extra time
Mesut Ozil would not have taken a penalty had the FA Cup final been settled by a shootout, Arsene Wenger has revealed.

The Germany international has endured a difficult debut season at the Emirates and was taken off spot-kick duty after his miss from 12 yards in the Champions League last 16 against Bayern Munich.

And Wenger has admitted he would not have trusted Ozil to convert against Hull, despite withdrawing dead-ball specialist Santi Cazorla, though no such eventuality occurred, with Aaron Ramsey scoring in extra time to seal a 3-2 win for the Gunners.

Wenger told Arsenal's official website: "I had a funny feeling not to go to penalties. I tried desperately not to go to penalties because I did not have many players on the pitch who were specialists at it. I tried to go for it before the end.

"It paid off but we had a horrible feeling for a long time in the game and in the end it was a relief. The job is how it finishes, all the rest nobody cares.

"Especially [taking off] Cazorla [was bold]. I must tell you Ozil I would not have put him on the penalty list, but Cazorla is a serious penalty taker and that’s why I was hesitant.

"I was worried by the decision I was making because I had two strikers on the pitch. Jack is not a penalty taker, Rosicky is not a penalty taker. Giroud had cramp so it was difficult.

"The other problem I had was the hamstring of Gibbs. Before the end of the game, he had a hamstring problem and so I waited as long as possible but I tried to win it before the end."

Arsenal's win at Wembley signalled an end to their much-publicised nine-year trophy drought and Wenger could now sign a new contract in the near future.