Ian Wright: Ozil has to rise above criticism at Arsenal
That is the view of Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, who has hit out at the playmaker in an interview on German TV.
Ozil was at the centre of a storm in Germany over the summer when he was chastised for his performances as the defending champions crashed out of the World Cup.
He caused a stir when being pictured with Turkey’s controversial president Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the World Cup, in what some fans in Germany believed was a political error.
Ozil eventually quit international football after the tournament in Russia and said he had suffered "racism and disrespect" because of his Turkish roots.
Mesut Ozil could not prevent Germany crashing out of the World Cup this summer (Image: GETTY)
Mesut Ozil met Turkey's president before the World Cup (Image: GETTY)
It is a miracle that he is now captain at Arsenal
Uli Hoeness
A row with the DFB followed and Hoeness reckons the whole mess could have been avoided if Ozil had never been selected for the World Cup.
“We would have spared the whole theatre,” Hoeness told Sky Sport Germany.
“Ozil should have been forced to make a statement. But leaving that without explanation was probably the biggest mistake ever.”
Hoeness was also far from kind when asked about Ozil as a player.
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Mesut Ozil has gained both support and criticism for his decision to meet the Turkish president (Image: GETTY)
Mesut Ozil has not got off to a sterling start with Arsenal this season (Image: GETTY)
"I've been watching the player for a long time and he's a well-marketed product whose image is a lot better than he is, which is the only big blame for me,” Hoeness said.
“Had (Germany manager Joachim) Low gone to Arsenal more often in London and looked at him (Ozil) properly, he probably would not have taken him for sporting reasons.
“And then we would have been spared the whole theatre.
“It is a miracle that he is now captain at Arsenal.”
Unai Emery says Mesut Ozil is one of his captains at Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
New Arsenal manager Unai Emery has not yet settled on a team captain, with Ozil wearing the armband for a time in pre-season.
Asked about the Gunners captaincy, Emery said last month: “I have said that I am looking for five captains and I am telling you that those being considered are Mesut, Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech.
"But it is not closed. I am thinking about one or two others to take this responsibility as well and don’t forget about Koscielny as he continues as a captain behind the scenes.”
Discussing the treatment Ozil has faced since the World Cup, DFB president Reinhard Grindel said: “I should have positioned myself more clearly given the racist attacks from some corners and should have put myself in front of Mesut Ozil.
Bayern's president says Mesut Ozil should not have gone to the World Cup (Image: GETTY)
“Such attacks are unacceptable. I should have found clear words.
“I am sorry he feels let down by the DFB.
“But it is important to emphasise that after the World Cup, I never commented on his performances.
“For me it was always clear that we win together and lose together.
“To blame a single player for going out would be absurd.
“After the photos with president Erdogan, Ilkay Gundogan made a clear statement.
“I would have liked that also from Ozil, because I know from conversations with fans that they also had questions about it.
“However, this must not be misunderstood as a criticism of his playing performance.”