Paul Merson has decided it’s been too long since someone’s unfairly criticised Mesut Ozil so he might as well have a go.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea ‘star’ launched a scathing attack on the playmaker following his performance against Everton midweek.

“He [Ozil] was cowering as the ball came in and he literally ran away from it,” Merson said in his Daily Star column.

“That’s not good enough. That doesn’t win you league titles. He doesn’t even need to win it. Just a little nudge could have been enough to put Ashley Williams off but he gave up.

“Arsenal can’t afford to do that.”

Ozil appears to really rile people up, especially pundits, and I’m not sure why considering it’s hardly like the guy has the biggest ego. I’d perhaps understand if he was strutting around like he owns the place but he doesn’t, he actually pretty quiet and let’s his football do the talking.

Mesut Ozil v Everton
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: James McCarthy of Everton is pursued by Francis Coquelin (L) and Mesut Ozil (C) of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 13, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Maybe it’s his reported £42.5 price tag that adds the pressure but he’s been in north London three years now. It’s hardly news.

So far, Ozil is having one of the best seasons of his career, scoring nine and assisting six in all competitions. Sure, he had a quiet game against Everton, but so did most of Arsenal’s starting XI! Hence why we lost 2-1.

The team as a whole played badly, even Alexis Sanchez wasn’t up to his usual standard.

Can we lay off Ozil for five minutes, please?