Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac has stressed that Mesut Ozil remains a ‘very important’ player for the club despite the recent uncertainty surrounding the German’s future at the Emirates Stadium.
Ozil, 30, has not enjoyed a regular run in the starting lineup under Emery this term and of late, there have been suggestions that he could be prised away from the club when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
However, the 2014 World Cup winner managed to prove his critics wrong with a good performance versus Burnley.
The midfielder came up with the defining contributions in a 3-1 triumph and shortly after that game, Kolasinac has heaped praise on the former Real Madrid man.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Kolasinac admitted that Ozil would always attract criticism given the high-profile player status but neither the German nor the squad are concerned by the gossip surrounding his future. This is what he had to say:
“That’s the case 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.”
The Bosnia international added to praise the leadership qualities of the experienced playmaker and revealed that the German likes to do the talking in the dressing room rather than barking orders on the playing field to ensure his dominating presence. He added:
“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’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.”
Ozil marked a much-awaited return to Premier League action last weekend where he contributed an assist and a pre-assist in a 3-1 triumph over Burnley and he has the opportunity to replicate the showing in the midweek game at Brighton.
Arsenal are currently fifth in the table with 37 points on the board and they have the opportunity to put the pressure on fourth-placed Chelsea, who are just ahead of them on the virtue of goal difference.
