Arsene Wenger explains why Mesut Ozil performed so poorly at World Cup 2018

Former Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger explains what was the reason for Mesut Ozil to perform poorly in the World Cup. According to the Frenchman, it was down to the criticism he received ahead of the tournament in Russia. Germany failed to progress to the knockout stages with Arsenal star taking the brunt of the criticism following the shock exit. Wenger has claimed that his former player needs support if he is to perform to the best of his ability. The Frenchman, speaking to  beIN Sports, said: "I know Ozil well, he's an exceptional football player. "Him and Gundogan suffered with what happened before the World Cup because they have been vindicated in Germany. "When I watched him play, I could feel there were situations in the game where he could have moved forward, progressed and played more vertical. He played security. "I was thinking 'come on, that is not the real Ozil I know, the guy who can kill'. "He played all right, but he didn't play with complete freedom and played with the handbrake on this World Cup. "Gundogan didn't even play at all and he's a great player."

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