Former Arsenal striker Paul Mariner has called Mesut Ozil’s recent comments “ridiculous”, after the German international fought back at criticism from ex-Gunners.

Mariner, yet another former Arsenal player who has moved into punditry, wasn’t impressed with Ozil’s statement about unfair criticism. Last Saturday, the 28-year-old posted the statement on Facebook via the Telegraph urging ex-Arsenal players working in the media to stop criticising and start supporting.

He wrote: “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!”

The statement has riled a few people. Ian Wright had his say when he called it “laughable”. And now another former striker, Mariner, has given his view. “What an absolute ridiculous statement,” Mariner said on ESPN FC. “If he played for Arsenal like he did for Germany, we would have no arguments. 

“He’s supposed to be the top player, the creator. We love this football club, all the ex-players love Arsenal Football Club. The way that they treat us now is no different to the way we were treated before, it’s fantastic. That’s why we’re concerned of what is going on on the field. 

“It’s a shambles off the field with (Ivan) Gazidis and Arsene Wenger because it’s been a disastrous transfer window. He’s got to forget all this rubbish about answering the Twitter people and the public, he’s got to put his boots on and play football, get after it!”

In his statement, Ozil explained that he felt that something had to be said following the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool. It was after that defeat that everyone stuck the knife in. Nothing about the club was safe from criticism.

From the player’s perspective, the constant barrage of criticism and seemingly endless doom and gloom must get tiring after a while. In the 28-year-old’s case, he’s won the World Cup with Germany and three FA Cups with Arsenal while being one of the best performers at the club. He doesn’t deserve to be constantly under attack from people.

However, responding with words is unlikely to get them to stop. Ozil, and the rest of the Arsenal players, must perform on the pitch if they want to win people over and gain their support.