Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Mesut Ozil is struggling with criticism: 'Does it suit him having responsibility? I don't know, I'm not sure'

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Arsene Wenger has revealed underfire Mesut Ozil is struggling to cope with the intense criticism aimed at his performances.

The Germany international has been targeted in recent weeks — even by his own fans — after a string of below-par displays.

And Wenger admits Ozil has struggled to deal with the negative judgements, saying: 'I think he embraces the challenge to play big games. Does he embrace the challenge to be criticised? I'm not sure. Does he like to be criticised? I'm not sure.

Mesut Ozil has struggled recently and endured a tough match in the defeat by Tottenham

'Big players have to carry the responsibility of the team. People look at it like that.

'Does it suit him having responsibility? I don't know. I'm not sure.'

The Arsenal manager has held several heart-to-heart chats with Ozil in an effort to coax him out of his current malaise.

But for now, the German is finding it difficult to rediscover the form that forced Arsenal to fork out a club record £42million to sign him from Real Madrid in 2013.

Arsene Wenger of Ozil's situation: 'Overall the big players get more criticised than the others'

'Yes he needs (tough love). We had some good conversations with him as well,' said Wenger.

'Overall the big players get more criticised than the others. Secondly, his style is more fluid, less aggressive but it doesn't mean you want it less than others. 

'At the end of the day you want all your players to be at their best in every single game so when they don't achieve that of course you are frustrated but we are only human beings and you have to accept the ups and downs.'

Ozil is in the middle of a contract stand-off, refusing to sign a deal worth around £250,000 a week.

Alexis Sanchez has also been linked with a move away from Arsenal at the end of the season

But he is hardly making a convincing argument to convince Arsenal to give into his £300,000-per-week demands.

And Wenger, who also admitted the club have not received any formal approaches for Ozil ahead of the summer transfer window, said: 'Before we spend big money we analyse all the aspects of commitments because we have not only Mesut Ozil and Sanchez to extend.

'We have many other players to extend and you have to make sure you have the resources available to extend the other players that you think are needed to be successful in the future.'