Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of his club's record signing Mesut Ozil once again, after he was the subject of more criticism following his latest display against Manchester City on Saturday.
The German World Cup winner was overshadowed by the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere in an Arsenal midfield that started without the benched Santi Cazorla, and some observers suggesting Ozil's place in Wenger's team will soon come under threat.
Ozil looked lethargic and off the pace as Arsenal locked horns with the Premier League champions on Saturday, but his manager is satisfied with the job he is doing in his team.
"You have to respond to critics in a public job, you accept that," said Wenger when asked about Ozil's latest performance. "You go on the pitch and show your talent and show how good you are. That's what [Jack] Wilshere has done.
"People will always have this kind of attitude about Ozil. He worked hard and he played quite well. You always see a good Ozil when you watch the game again.
"Then you realise his timing, his quality of the pass and sometimes you can be frustrated during the game but you must not over-react. When you watch the game in a cool manner again, you see what a good player he is."
Ozil will travel with Arsenal back to his native Germany on Monday ahead of the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.