ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has defended Mesut Ozil amid reports some members of the Arsenal squad have questioned his commitment.
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has defended Mesut Ozil amid reports some members of the Arsenal squad have questioned his commitment.
Ozil missed Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Burnley on Sunday with a minor back injury according to Wenger.
And German took to Instagram to express his disappointment at missing Wenger’s farewell home match.
Ozil received severe criticism from former Gunners defender Martin Keown last week, who said the 29-year-old was “not fit to wear the shirt” and predicted he would not play against Burnley.
But Wenger insisted Ozil does not pick and choose his matches. “Football players are not like that,” he told reporters.
“I can understand that. He’s injured.
“He was in for treatment yesterday. He still has a back problem. It looks unlikely [he will play against Leicester].”
Ozil is the highest paid player at Arsenal on around £350,000-a-week and Wenger believes the investment on the playmaker was worth the money.
He said: “The club made a big investment, basically because the player was free as well - we would have to buy a player.
“I think it is a good investment. He is top quality. He will have a big influence.”
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