Arsene Wenger hits out at Martin Keown’s ‘extreme’ assessment of Mesut Ozil after Arsenal’s Europa League exit last night
ARSENE Wenger defended Mesut Ozil's performance in the Europa League last night after Martin Keown blasted the German.
Keown criticised Ozil after Arsenal's 2-1 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid, ending Wenger's European exploits with Arsenal in typical, disappointing fashion.
But Wenger was quick to support his playmaker, who signed a new contract at the Emirates earlier this year.
In response to Keown's comments, he said: "I don't agree with that. You will see that when you analyse his physical performance that he gave a lot tonight.
"It was a difficult game, physically very intense, and I am convinced that Ozil should not be now victimised by anyone because we did not score.
"We had plenty of opportunities in the two games and we lose as a team. I don't agree with that coming out now straight away.
"When you want to be listened to now, you always have to be extreme. But football is more complicated and complex than that."
Wenger was left bitterly disappointed by his side's exit in his final European journey with Arsenal.
The Frenchman has three games left as manager after 22 years in charge and Sunday's game against Burnley will be his last at home.
Arsenal then travel to Leicester next Wednesday before Wenger's final game as Arsenal manager sees the Gunners visit Huddersfield on the final day of the season.
Most read in football
He added: "I have to recover first from a huge disappointment tonight. I am very, very sad to leave the club with that exit.
"I will take some time to recover from that and after I will see what I do with myself in the future."