Mesut Ozil has hit out at criticism from pundits over his record in 'big' game - and the idea he misses matches through illness.
The German has managed six goals and nine assists in 42 Premier League matches against Tottenham , Manchester United , Manchester City , Chelsea and Liverpool .
He has also failed to score in three appearances against Barcelona and hit only two goals and provided one more in seven games against Bayern Munich.
World Cup winner Ozil believes he is unfairly targeted when Arsenal perform badly as a collective in big games.
“It always happens that an ex-player stands there on TV and criticises me,” he told The Athletic . “Others just continue the theme and it gets in everyone’s heads.
“If we don’t do well in a ‘big’ game, it’s always my fault. If that’s true, how do you explain our results in the ‘big’ games when I wasn’t involved?
"There’s no real difference. I know people expect me to offer more, dictate play and make the difference – I do, too – but it’s not that straightforward."
Ozil also hit out at claims he is a sicknote, saying his illnesses are always genuine, and he has played 'many games' when feeling under the other weather.
