Gabriele Marcotti believes Arsenal and Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil deserves more respect, after the endless criticism he’s received in recent days.

The pundit feels that Ozil is still a quality player and that people are severely underestimating his abilities. “Well Joachim Low does trust him,” Marcotti said, reports the Daily Star. “If I felt I could get through to him and I could get the same kind of production and put the pieces around, absolutely (I would have Ozil in my team).

“It’s not like Mesut Ozil has turned into Robert Snodgrass overnight. He’s still a World Champion, he’s a starter for the World Champions. I think he deserves a modicum of respect. He’s obviously played badly, but it’s not like he’s going to be off playing in the Venezuelan third division, no disrespect.”

Ozil put in two fantastic performance for Germany during the international break, helping them to two more wins on the way to the World Cup in Russia. It was a timely reminder that the 28-year-old is an important player for Germany and more than capable of doing the same thing for Arsenal.

Since the season began, the midfielder’s performances have been criticised. While he hasn’t been at his very best, he hasn’t been the liability or luxury that some have labelled him as. The German international has been treated this way since arriving in England, as people have struggled to look past his languid style of play and supposed lack of work rate.

He hasn’t helped himself by calling out pundits, particularly ex-Arsenal players, for criticising the team too much, provoking a reaction from club legend Ian Wright, who claimed it was laughable that a player who’s yet to extend his contract was calling people out.

Ozil’s contract expires in the summer. Negotiations between him and Arsenal have not been held since March.