Arsenal star leaps to defence of Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil has struggled for a spot in Unai Emery’s starting line-up in recent weeks and it has recently been reported that the Gunners are open to offers for the former German international. Ozil returned to the starting lineup for the Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Burnley on Saturday, taking the captain’s armband. Sead Kolasinac isnsists, only Ozil’s teammates know how important he is to this Arsenal team. “Mesut’s not the sort of player who will scream at you in public just to show the people on the outside that he tries to push us on,” he said. “He’ll speak in the dressing room, he’ll go to every player individually. "With his quality, he brings a lot to this team. He’s very important for us as a captain and as a player. “When you’re a big star, like Mesut is, of course, there are always negative headlines. But, as a team, we don’t pay attention to them and Mesut doesn’t either. That’s what’s most important. “We’re all behind Mesut - all the staff, all the players. If negative things are written, then that’s just what happens. In life, not everything is positive - sometimes there are negatives written about you too, and he’s had that. But yesterday with his performance he’s quietened a few critics.” On Ozil’s left-foot pass Kolasinac said that had had it not been the Arsenal No.10 on the ball. “It was unbelievable,” Kolasinac declared. “We all know Mesut’s qualities and I only actually made that run because I saw that he had the ball. “Not many players would have been able to play that pass. He can, and when I saw him get on the ball, I knew he was going to find me. It was a brilliant pass from him.”

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