Ian Wright has not held back about Mesut Ozil

The German playmaker took to social media on Saturday to hit back at former players who had been criticising his recent performances in an Arsenal shirt.

Emmanuel Petit, Martin Keown and Paul Merson are just a few of the ex-Arsenal stars who have singled him out over his contribution to the side this season.

But Wright, who has defended the 28-year-old in the past, believes Ozil must put pen to paper on a new deal before having a go at his doubters.

"Sign a contract if you feel that strongly about people criticising the team because you're somebody who is integral to Arsenal's success," Wright said on BBC 5 Live.

Ozil's contract is set to expire at the end of the season but most of the media spotlight has fallen on his Chilean team-mate Alexis Sanchez in recent weeks.

"You're not signing a deal and you're probably going to continue to hide behind the fact that (Alexis) Sanchez is the one that everybody's going to say, 'Is he going to go?'," Wright added.

"If you feel that strongly, why haven't you signed yet?"

Ozil has been on a poor run of form of late
Sanchez is also yet to sign a new deal

Arsenal legend Wright continued to rant about the situation, saying he felt it was hard to be positive about the Gunners' poor start to the season.

He continued: "We (former players) all feel the same because we're all passionate and we all love the club.

"What are we supposed to say? That they're unbelievable, in the boardroom, the boss, and the way they're playing? Because they're not. I can't understand it."

Arsene Wenger's men have lost two of their opening three fixtures in the league.

They take on Bournemouth after the international break comes to an end.