Arsenal, and manager Arsene Wenger specifically, have taken a ton of heat lately. The criticism has been directed towards multiple targets at the Emirates, from Owner Stan Kroenke to forward Alexis Sanchez to midfielder Mesut Ozil. After an abomination of a summer transfer window, many media pundits from all across the world have ripped the state of the club, calling it shambolic. The pitchforks for Wenger are back out in full force as well.
Wenger addressed his detractors last weekend after the Gunners got obliterated by Liverpool. Ozil, who has been under fire at times for his body language, took to his official Facebook page and posted a message to the critics.
Ozil opened by mentioning that today is the fourth anniversary of his arrival at Arsenal from Real Madrid. He began by discussing the talk that has surrounded his club while on international break with Germany.
“During the last couple of days my DFB teammates have been asking me about how everything is at Arsenal at the moment. They claimed to have read about the current crisis through the media, as pundits and former players are commenting on a daily basis. They say that this could be the worst team in years, even decades,” Ozil wrote.
He then got personal: “Personally I’ve had to accept a lot of criticism during my time in London. ‘Too expensive, too greedy, bad body language, and lacking fight’ – this is what people have said about me. Some of these comments are made by those who do not know me, some are made by former players – both successful and unsuccessful during their time here at the club.”
Mesut Ozil then got to the point of why he posted the message on his social media:
“Although criticism is something that all football players have to deal with, I nevertheless expected legends to behave like legends – my advice to these former Gunners: stop talking and start supporting!”
You can read the entire message over at this link. Ozil closed on a message of uplift. He acknowledges his uncertain future in north London (Ozil is part of the Gunners’ in the last year of their contract brigade), but expressed his love for the team and high hopes for the future.
“Even though I personally do not know how my career will continue after this year, I look forward to my fifth season with Arsenal. This is because Arsenal is a great club with great people and great traditions. I am glad to be able to wear your shirt, Gooners,” Mesut Ozil posted.
“I’ve had so many great moments in the last four years and I really appreciate what this club means to the people of London, the UK and all over the world.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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