Wenger: Ozil 'paying the price'

Arsenal's losing spree in recent weeks, which has seen them gather six defeats in their last nine matches in all competitions, prompted many fans to look for somebody to be held accountable.

Mesut Ozil believes he is always on the line for scrutiny when the team does not perform, and believes he is not praised enough when things are running smoothly, as he stated: 'When the team's on a bad run, somebody needs to be singled out, sadly most of the time it's me'.

In the build-up to Arsenal's all-important clash against Manchester City, Wenger spoke about the German international being unfairly criticised, and how this is because he is a high-profile player: 'It is a price to pay when you are a big player, sometimes you are unfairly treated'.

He went on to say that being in the spotlight is not always negative, and can work in one's favour: 'I think sometimes you are unfairly treated in both ways. When it goes well people go higher in praising you than they should and when it doesn't you get more stick than you deserve'.