Le Tissier sees similarities between himself and £42m Arsenal star

Former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier has defended Arsenal’s star playmaker Mesut Ozil.

Ozil has been criticised from fans and pundits in recent weeks. Gary Neville stated that the 28-year-old plays ‘like he is down a coal mine.’

However, Le Tissier believes the majority of the criticisms levelled at Ozil are down to his ‘demeanour on the pitch.’

The former England international went onto state that similar criticism’s were also aimed at him during his playing career.

See More: For Mesut Ozil news and everything you want to know about the Arsenal star

Le Tissier went onto say that Ozil is hugely important to the Gunners and that he makes them ‘tick.’

“He makes them tick, along with Alexis Sanchez. He’s got that quality,” Le Tissier was quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

“But because of his demeanour on the pitch, if he’s not making and scoring goals, because of the way he moves around the pitch, he’s not as energetic as everybody else and he tends to get criticised a lot.

“I feel a bit sorry for him because I was in that situation myself. If you’re not contributing goals and assists people look to your work rate to justify why you are in the team.”

Ozil scored Arsenal’s opener against West Ham on Wednesday. The 28-year-old also set up Theo Walcott for his side’s second.

Arsenal ended up 3-0 victors on the night and moved up into fifth place. The Gunners are four points behind fourth placed Man City.

Arsene Wenger’s side do however have a game in hand.

Ozil has 11 assists and ten goal to his name after 33 apperances for Arsenal. The 28-year-old joined Arsenal for £42 million (BBC) from Real Madrid back in 2013.

The Gunners take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend. The Eagles have won four of their last five games.