Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of Mesut Ozil after one of his former players critcised the German midfielder for his display against Atletico Madrid on Thursday night.
With the Europa League semi-final tie level at 1-1 heading into the second-leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, former Chelsea striker Diego Costa hit the only goal on the night to seal a 2-1 aggregate win for the Primera Liga side.
Defeat for Arsenal means Wenger will leave at the end of the season with no silverware and with the club likely to finish sixth - the lowest position since the Frenchman arrived over 21 years ago.
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But the 68-year-old Frenchman offered a vehement defence of Ozil after former Arsenal defender Martin Keown lambasted his performance while working on British TV.
"I haven't been happy with him for some time," Keown said of the Germany international. "It seems as though he picks and chooses his games. He was on the edge of things today. I bet he doesn't play again this season. He will have some emotional breakdown and won't be able to play at the weekend.
"I don't know how many illnesses he has had this season but the fella is not kidding me. That is not a proper performance. He isn't giving everything and there is a lot more under the bonnet.
"He wasn't fit to wear the shirt for me tonight and I have seen this a lot this season and it needs to be said."
But Wenger fired back at his former player, claiming his "extreme" comments were out of place.
"I don't agree with that," he said of Keown's assessment. "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."
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
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Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
