Arsenal saw their 22 match unbeaten streak come to an end over the weekend after losing 3-2 away to Southampton in the Premier League.
The Saints ended up winning their first league game at home since April thanks to Charlie Austin’s 85th-minute header.
Arsenal star Mesut Ozil made his first Premier League appearance since recovering from a back problem.
The playmaker of Turkish origin did not start the game, head coach Unai Emery brought him on as a substitute for Alex Iwobi on 70 minutes.
Despite playing just 20 minutes the 30-year-old ended up causing quite a stir on social media.
See More: Arsenal boss Unai Emery wants to emulate Pep Guardiola method with Mesut Ozil
We took a look at how Arsenal fans reacted to his display on social media.
Quite a few people blamed Ozil for the third goal being conceded. Bit unfair considering he isn’t actually a defensive player.
Ozil is a small disgrace on that 3rd goal
— Akh (@RilwanLucas) December 17, 2018
Ozil lost the ball for the 3rd goal and didn’t even try to get it back. 350K a week down the drain
— FG (@FunnyGooner) December 16, 2018
Ozil lost the ball for the goal in middle of pitch and just stood and watched them run off with it. Shit #SOUARS
— Mighty Gunner #AFC (@GunnerMighty) December 16, 2018
And there was a fair bit of criticism.
Ozil doesn’t want to be on the pitch. Lost all 50:50, Southampton players bullying him off the ball easily
— Osman (@OsmanZtheGooner) December 16, 2018
Not everyone was as critical.
Slightly confused about people slating Ozil for the dummy? Bearing in mind 1 minute before it lead to a great attempt and a couple of weeks ago it lead to potentially goal of the season… creative players will always lose the ball more than the rest… deal with it!
— Jack Spallin (@JackyAFC) December 17, 2018
Look I get that Ozil and Ramsey are out of favor but maybe we need to consider using them because they’re quite good.
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) December 16, 2018
Everyday Ozil becomes the scapegoat are you lot fools????
— Juls (@_Jayrosada) December 16, 2018
Is Ozil protected or unfairly criticized?
I’ve never in over 30 years watching football ever known a player to be protected by a fanbase like Ozil is. Literally an army of fanboys that will make up any old excuse to make their guy look great. Fact is he’ll be gone before Emery, there’s a reason for that.
— Unai Emery FC ?⚪️ (@LeeGunner82) December 16, 2018
Why is it you can criticise the whole team but as soon as you mention ozil it’s like you killed someone , lol makes me laugh tbh
— ….. ?? (@afcufcfan) December 16, 2018
Lovely.
Dear @MesutOzil1088 ?? ❤️ https://t.co/kHToNog9bn
— ZeroNil ? (@NilWil72) December 17, 2018
