Pep Guardiola Backs Mesut Ozil: “I Admire Him A Lot”

By The Editor
on 4th November 2017

Pep Guardiola feels Mesut Ozil gets treated unfairly…

Guardiola on Mesut Ozil, body language and pundits pic.twitter.com/pGpXnC1ju2

— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) November 3, 2017

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola launched a passionate defence of Mesut Ozil ahead of Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as we look to close the gap at the top of the Premier League.

Ozil has come under fierce criticism throughout his Arsenal career for a perceived lack of effort, but Guardiola feels many are judging him based on his body language.

The 29-year-old playmaker seems to have finally entered the form many have come to expect of him as he led us to back-to-back Premier League wins, though the big test awaits him as we travel to a top-six side.

The horror at Anfield remains sewed in our minds and it’s up to the players to make sure fans don’t suffer a recurring nightmare.

In a staunch defence of Ozil, Guardiola launched a scathing attack on pundits and ex-players for their harsh analysis on players when they themselves experienced some difficulties during their playing career.

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“I admire him a lot,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of the clash.

“Maybe his body language doesn’t help him too much. But sometimes the body language confuses the opinions of the critics, the media or old players.

“For me it is tough. I accept your (the media) view and your opinions, but for old players to criticise when months ago, years ago they were on the pitch and they know how tough it is working there.

“Old players now they are prestigious journalists with opinions, they forget immediately that they were there and gave performances like the players right now.”

Guardiola hasn’t hidden his displeasure at some of the narratives created by the British press and pundits, and he surely identifies with the predicament Ozil consistently finds himself in.

A top class talent ridiculed by individuals who haven’t achieved half of what you have in football.

Such is life, I guess.