Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil says he ‘doesn’t care what people think’ as he hits back at critics
Gunners playmaker has endured his fair share of criticism for club and country following a disastrous World Cup that saw him hang up his boots
MESUT OZIL has fired back at his critics with the message: "I don't care what you think about me."
The Arsenal playmaker has endured his fair share of criticism for club and country following a disastrous World Cup that saw him hang up his boots.
His style of football can often have his critics label him as lazy and a passenger, particularly in big matches.
But the 30-year-old says he is not interested in other people's opinions, only those of the manager and his team-mates.
Speaking to the , Ozil said: "Look, I know there's people out there that like me, there are also people who don't like me,
"This is a fact of life. But, for me, what is important is what the people in my inner circle tell me.
"I don't care what people say outside of that. It doesn't affect me.
"If the coach, or people in my circle, tell me: 'Mesut you have to do this, or have to do that' then I listen. I'll take that and work on it.
"But I don't look at what someone else is saying. It really doesn't affect me."
Ozil has stepped up his form under new boss Unai Emery with Arsenal showing glimpses of their scintillating best.
They are six points off Manchester City at the top, a task of catching Pep Guardiola's side that is likely to prove too much in Emery's debut season.
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But Ozil insists the rebuilding job remains a process and things are on the right track.
He added: "Personally, things are going well but that doesn't mean I stop working,
"But the most important thing is that the team is going well at the moment. But it's a process — every coach has a different strategy or philosophy and we can feel it.
"It's a tactical thing with the new coach. We are learning from him, we are trying to give our best on the pitch every day and every hour.
"But we have to keep being hungry, and keep progressing. It's not like we are done now (because we have gone 14 games unbeaten). It's like we are just starting.
"We are doing well for now, but that doesn't mean we stop."