Lukas Podolski: "Mesut Özil brings Arsenal a lot of joy"

Under fire Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil’s international team-mates have backed the Gunners £42.4 million summer signing to return to form after a string of lacklustre performances, reports the Metro.

The 25-year-old made an encouraging start to his career in north London but has gone off the boil of late and his displays have been under intense scrutiny since a crucial penalty miss in the recent defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg clash.

However, the Germany captain Philipp Lahm has insisted that Özil will be back to his best sooner rather than later.

“It’s normal that there are ups and downs in your career. Mesut is an extraordinary player and for Real Madrid and in the beginning at Arsenal, he was excellent, so we don’t need to worry about Mesut.

“He’ll find his top form again and I can’t see any problems,” declared the Bayern Munich star.

Meanwhile, Arsenal team-mate and compatriot Lukas Podolski continued the support of Özil by heaping praise on his contributions for both club and country.

“Criticism is part and parcel of football. I think Mesut is a fantastic player. He’s going to give a lot of joy to Arsenal and to Germany.

“He’s still young and a good friend of mine. He’s played many great games and he will play many more.

“I think some of the criticism was a bit exaggerated and unfair at times,” said Podolski.