LAY OFF OZIL
Wenger tells fans to stop blaming German star for team’s problems
ARSENE WENGER has urged fans to stop playing the blame game with Mesut Ozil.
Germany midfielder Ozil was singled out by fans for criticism after Arsenal’s defeat at Chelsea amid a serious loss of form.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown described Ozil as an “expensive luxury” and claimed he would not get into the Invincibles team.
It is believed colleagues were disappointed with Ozil’s workrate during the Chelsea game while Alexis Sanchez threw a few strops on the pitch.
Ozil has struggled to rediscover his early-season form just when Arsenal need him most.
But Wenger says the Gunners must stick together as a team rather than pick on individuals.
Wenger said: “It’s the team that wins and the team that loses.
“When you don’t do well it’s important to focus on the team aspect and not blame each other.
“The blame culture is part of the game but what is important is that we show a united front.
“We have a good opportunity against Hull to show that we are a strong unit that can bounce back. When you don’t win you cannot say that all is well. You have to analyse what is not right. It is our job to find what that is and give a response.”
Sanchez and Ozil will have to deliver big performances against Hull even though Wenger may have to take a couple of risks in his team selection ahead of a showdown with Bayern Munich in the Champions League next Wednesday.
“The best way to deal with Bayern is to win on Saturday, and to get the priorities right,” he said. “Your priority in football is your next game.
“If you’re a footballer you don’t even know if you will be playing in the game after that.”
The disastrous defeat by Chelsea followed a shambolic home performance against Watford, but Wenger has instructed his players not to lose belief.
“Look, we have 47 points so that means we have won some games. My players must believe that they can win games,” he said.
But Arsenal know they cannot afford any complacency against Hull who have shown a dramatic improvement under new boss Marco Silva.
Portuguese Silva was in charge of Olympiakos when they shocked Arsenal in the Champions League two seasons ago with a masterclass in counterattacking football.
The mood is likely to be tense at the Emirates after recent fan unrest and Wenger admits it will be a major test of their mental strength, especially given Hull’s new-found confidence.
Wenger added: “He (Silva) is doing well. Hull played well under Mike Phelan but they were not rewarded by results and they had injuries too.
“I think Hull have always played good football so it will be a tough game for us.”