Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger responds to Martin Keown’s scathing attack on Mesut Ozil
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has hit back at claims that Mesut Ozil isn’t fit to wear the Gunners shirt.
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Wenger’s side were knocked out of the Europa League last night, with Atletico Madrid winning 2-1 on aggregate in their semi-final clash.
Arsenal struggled to impress against the Spanish giants in Wenger’s last chance to win silverware before he leaves the Emirates this summer.
And following the defeat, Gunners hero Martin Keown slammed Ozil, claiming the Germany international wasn’t fit to wear the Arsenal shirt.
However, Wenger has defended the playmaker, claiming Ozil did all he could against Atletico.
“I don’t agree [that he didn’t work hard],” Wenger said.
“I think you will see that when you analyse his physical performance that he gave a lot tonight.”
I think you will see that when you analyse his physical performance that he gave a lot
Keown, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal, went on a lengthy rant about Ozil last night, slamming the ex-Real Madrid star’s efforts.
“Show some drive, show some energy. He’s on the edge of it. It’s almost like he’s got his hands in the air and saying: ‘these players aren’t as good as me’,” Keown said on BT Sport.
“And it’s almost like somebody needed to grab him a long time ago and give him a shake and say ‘we’re trying to get the ball to you, we are working for you but you’re not working for us’.
“I bet he doesn’t play again this season. He’ll have some emotional breakdown and won’t be able to play at the weekend. I don’t know how many illnesses he’s had this season.
“The fella is not kidding me. That is not a proper performance. He’s not giving everything and there’s much more under the bonnet. Somebody else will find it.
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“Whether the new manager coming can find it I don’t know. It’s a big problem for the new manager because Wenger’s invested an awful lot of money in this player and I’m not seeing a performance to go with it.
“He wasn’t fit to wear the shirt tonight. And I’ve seen this a lot this season and it needs to be said because he needs to be dug out because we expect more from him.
“He’s a World Cup winner. These are crocodile tears that I’m seeing from the player. He’s not conning me.
“Listen, I’ve had my say on it and I feel he’s not giving enough for Arsenal Football Club.
“And maybe Arsene Wenger should come out and say a little bit more about some of these players that should have performed for him and he’s one that hasn’t.”