Mesut Ozil believes he is being made Arsenal's scapegoat following Bayern Munich loss, says agent

Dr Erkut Sogut offered a spirited defence of his client, who feels as if he has been scapegoated



Mesut Ozil believes that he is being made the scapegoat for Arsenal’s poor run of form, according to his agent.

Arsene Wenger came under pressure to drop the 28-year-old midfielder ahead of the

first-leg of Arsenal’s Champions League Round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich.

Ozil played, but was largely ineffectual in a toothless Arsenal display, as the club crashed to a humiliating 5-1 defeat.

"Criticism is normal if a player plays badly," Dr Erkut Sogut told BBC Sport.

"But Mesut feels people are not focusing on his performance; they are using him as a scapegoat for the team after bad results."

Sogut went on to question why Ozil was receiving so much criticism when Bayern Munich enjoyed 74% possession in the match.

"How can someone in the No.10 position create chances if you don't have the ball?” he added.

"In these games people usually target a player who cost a lot of money and earns a lot of money - that is Mesut. But he can't be always be the scapegoat. That's not fair.

"Football is a team sport and Arsenal are not performing well as a team. Eleven players were on the pitch but Mesut was singled out for criticism. Was he the reason that Arsenal conceded five goals?

"It started before the match, throughout the week leading up to the game. People started discussing: 'Should he play? Should he be dropped?'.

"It was as if everyone knew Arsenal would not make it through and we needed a scapegoat. This is not right. You win as a team and you lose as a team."

Ozil’s agent then went on the offer a vigorous defence of Ozil’s performance in some of Arsenal’s most high-profile matches.

"I don't agree that Mesut has not had an impact on big matches," Sogut said.

"What about the win at home to Chelsea this season and Manchester United the year before? What about the games for Germany against Italy and France at Euro 2016?

"People are always saying Mesut is not fighting or tackling, that he has poor body language, but that is how he is.

"Believe me, he is desperate to succeed. If it doesn't work, he shows his anger and expressions. Was his body language an issue when Arsenal were playing well?

"He is not someone who runs around aimlessly and tackles just so everyone thinks he is fighting. If it doesn't make sense to run somewhere he will keep that power for the next run."

There have been rumours that Ozil’s representatives have stalled over talks to renew his contract at the Emirates Stadium, but Sogut denied that was the case, and claimed his client was happy at the club despite the increased speculation.

"I don't think the criticism has affected his performance or his mental state," he said.

"Mesut is committed to the club. There is no doubt that he will perform at 100%, with total professionalism and commitment as long as he plays for Arsenal. Nothing will change that.

"He is sorry to the fans, and he's sorry that he and his team-mates couldn't give the fans a better result in Munich."