Ian Wright hits back at Mesut Ozil in response to angry social media post criticising 'Arsenal legends'

Ian Wright has responded to Mesut Ozil's social media post with some strong words of his own. CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Callum Davis

Ian Wright has hit back at Mesut Ozil after the German midfielder told former Arsenal legends to "stop talking and start supporting".

Wright dismissed Ozil's social media post and called on the 28-year-old to prove his commitment to the club and sign a new contract.

Ozil is in the final year of his current Arsenal deal and looks unlikely to sign a new one.

"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 in his role as a pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"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?".

"Why haven't you signed yet? That's what I would say to you. If you feel that strongly, why haven't you signed yet?

"A player that is not actually performing on the pitch is coming out, calling people out and he's not signing a contract. It's laughable."

Wright has also been critical of Arsenal's decision to let a number of high-profile players run down their contracts.

Arsenal decided against selling Alexis Sanchez on deadline day after failing to agree a deal for Thomas Lemar, a decision the former striker derided on Twitter.

"It's bad business to let Sanchez walk out next year for free.Take the F*****g money! He don't want to be there! We're Arsenal so some pride," he wrote.

Ozil defended his recent performances in a strongly-worded Facebook post following Arsenal's dismal 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.

"Personally I’ve had to accept a lot of criticism during my time in London. “Too expensive, too greedy, bad body language, and lacking fight'. This is what people have said about me," he wrote on Facebook.

"Some of these comments are made by those who do not know me, some are made by former players, both successful and unsuccessful during their time here at the club.

"Although criticism is something that all football players have to deal with, I nevertheless expected legends to behave like legends: my advice to these former Gunners: stop talking and start supporting!"

Ozil is currently on international duty with Germany and played a pivotal role in their 2-1 win over Czech Republic last Friday.

Arsenal play host to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon as Arsene Wenger's side look to avoid a third straight defeat in the Premier League.