Arsenal “can forget about titles” – Pundit slams Gunners fans for Mesut Ozil criticism
Former Tottenham star Garth Crooks has defended Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil following recent criticism from fans and pundits.
Ozil was blamed for Arsenal’s defeat to Watford FC a fortnight ago despite only playing 30 minutes. Martin Keown stated that the performance may signal the end of Ozil’s career at Arsenal.
However, the 29-year-old was in top-form against Everton on Sunday. Ozil scored his sides second goal and provided the assist for their third.
Crooks believes Ozil is often the scapegoat for Arsenal fans and has stated that the World Cup winner is a top quality player.
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Furthermore, Crooks went onto say that Arsenal can forget about lifting the Premier League trophy if they sell the likes of Ozil.
“What I can’t understand is why Ozil has become Arsenal’s whipping boy over the years?” Crooks wrote in his BBC Sport column.
“I know he can be temperamental and is prone to sulk but he is not the first player to behave in this way and he certainly won’t be the last.
“The Germany international seemed to carry the can for Arsenal’s defeat at Watford recently and it even prompted a suggestion from one pundit that Ozil’s performance may signal the end of his career at Arsenal.
“At this point I have to ask myself, ‘how can a player of Ozil’s obvious class be so easily dismissed?
“I have always been of the opinion that the best teams tend to have the best players and usually fans want to keep them. So why does Ozil get such a bad rap from some Arsenal supporters?
“He was outstanding against Everton and, while his critics will say you have to wait too long to see a top-class performance from him, I would respond that when he does perform it’s almost certainly worth the wait.
“What is clear is that if Arsenal start dispensing with players like Ozil then they can forget about titles.”
Arsenal host Swansea City at the Emirates stadium this weekend as they look to continue their winning run.
Arsene Wenger’s side also defeated Norwich FC in the League Cup on Tuesday evening.