Mesut Ozil – back to form.Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil accepts he will always be an easy target for the critics and says he has nothing to prove to anybody.
The German World Cup winner answered the growing doubters with a masterful display in the 3-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Saturday. He swept in the opening goal and created the second for Danny Welbeck at Villa Park when deployed in a more central role by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
The 25-year-old has continually found himself under scrutiny since becoming Arsenal’s £42 million club record signing from Real Madrid on deadline day in September 2013.
However, Ozil is not about to let anyone else’s opinion get in the way of his continued progress with the Gunners.
“I don’t play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal,” Ozil told German news agency DPA.
“I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.
“We have only just started the season (at Arsenal), we have new players in key positions.
“The collective game, which is something I have a lot to do with, cannot then just work well from one day to the next.”
Ozil added: “(Just) 10 weeks ago I was elected to the team of the season in England (via an internet poll on the Premier League website).
“I was world champion then. It was the summer break and after a few games (of the new season) everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer.”
Ozil is likely to be one of several first-team players rested by Wenger for the League Cup tie at home to Southampton tonight, but should again be the key man for Saturday’s north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.
League Cup (third round)
Today: 20.45 Arsenal vs Southampton; Cardiff City vs Bournemouth; Derby vs Reading; Leyton Orient vs Sheffield United; Liverpool vs Middlesbrough; MK Dons vs Bradford; Shrewsbury vs Norwich City; Sunderland vs Stoke; Swansea vs Everton. 21.00 Fulham vs Doncaster Rovers.
Tomorrow: 20.45 Burton Albion vs Brighton; Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers; C. Palace vs Newcastle; Manchester City vs Sheffield Wed.; Tottenham vs Nottm Forest. 21.00 West Brom vs Hull City.