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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: What I think about the criticism of Mesut Ozil
ARSENE WENGER has defended Mesut Ozil after the midfielder came in for widespread criticism following Arsenal’s defeat at Manchester City.
Wenger defends Mesut Özil ahead of West Brom clash
Ozil has been in fine form for most of the season at Arsenal, but he produced a lacklustre second-half performance in the 2-1 defeat to City.
The Germany international failed to properly defend a corner and was not pressing high up the pitch like he should have been.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended Mesut Ozil
He is a guy who works much harder than people think - his body language goes against him sometimes
But Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of the midfielder, insisting he works harder than people think.
"It’s very difficult for me to come out on an individual - I have a debrief with players themselves,” Wenger said.
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil came in for criticism after his performance at Man City
“To be absolutely fair I did not listen to all the criticism we got, but we have to accept it.
"People analyse and have opinion and that's normal. We have to respond. Big players always respond to criticism on pitch.
"I don't give him leeway - when team has no possession he has to do job like everybody else. Usually he does it well.
"But he suffers more when we don't have the ball and at City we didn't have the ball enough, but unfortunately if you want the ball you have to win it back.
"He is a guy who works much harder than people think - his body language goes against him sometimes.
"We are a team who wins it back high up with Sanchez and Ozil - he does his job very well. Where we had a deficit at City was winning the ball back in the middle of the park."
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