Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has slammed Arsenal playmaker Mesut Özil following his display against Olympiacos.
Özil played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Greek champions Olympiakos.
“Watch Mesut Ozil coming out to try to get a block on the first goal. It was pathetic,” Redknapp was quoted as saying by the Express.
“The ball comes out to the edge of the box and he makes the most half-hearted effort to close it down.
“If someone is going to shoot from the edge of the box, you want your midfielders or defenders to throw themselves at it to do everything for the team, whether you cost £4million or £42m.”
Özil was unable to provide an assist or goal. The World Cup winner has yet to setup up a goal or get on the scoresheet in the Champions League this season.
Olympiakos strategic advisor and BT Sport pundit Christian Karembeu also criticised Özil’s performance in the 3-2 loss against the Greek giants at the Emirates.
Arsenal lost their second consecutive UEFA Champions League game in a row yesterday and Karembeu admitted that he was particularly disappointed with Özil.
“I am so sorry for Özil he was missing, he did not do anything,” Karembeu said on BT Sport after the Arsenal v Olmypiakos game.
Karembeu did however, underline that Özil is a great player and that he admired him at Real Madrid.
“I know him from Real Madrid he was a key player there but he could not help the team today or deliver some key passes,” he added.
See More
It’s tighter at the top in Turkey than you think
From the British Countryside to Fenerbahçe Fandom
