[Mhiz Rebecca]

Mesut Ozil is unfairly being used as a scapegoat as
Arsenal's season threatens to fall apart, according to the
German's agent.
The Gunners were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich at the
Allianz Arena on Wednesday night in the first leg of their
Champions League last-16 tie.
Manager Arsene Wenger admitted it had been a
''nightmare'' for his side after they shipped three goals in
the space of 10 second-half minutes.
The future of the long-serving Frenchman has again
come into question from supporters and pundits alike,
as has the direction of his team which once again
appeared devoid of leadership when needed most.
German playmaker Ozil found himself singled out by
critics for failing to deliver a performance against quality
opposition, but the 28-year-old's lawyer and
representative Dr Erkut Sogut told BBC Sport it was
misdirected.
"Criticism is normal if a player plays badly, but Mesut
feels people are not focusing on his performance; they
are using him as a scapegoat for the team after bad
results,'' Dr Sogut said.
"Bayern had 74 percent possession. How can someone
in the No. 10 position create chances if you don't have
the ball?
"In these games people usually target a player who cost
a lot of money and earns a lot of money -- that is Mesut.
But he can't be always be the scapegoat. That's not fair.
"Football is a team sport and Arsenal are not performing
well as a team. Eleven players were on the pitch, but
Mesut was singled out for criticism. Was he the reason
that Arsenal conceded five goals?
"It started before the match, throughout the week
leading up to the game. People started discussing:
'Should he play? Should he be dropped?'
"It was as if everyone knew Arsenal would not make it
through and we needed a scapegoat. This is not right.
You win as a team and you lose as a team.''
Ozil, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 for a
club-record £42.4 million, has yet to agree a contract
extension with the North London club past the end of
his current deal, which expires next year.
Sogut maintained his client was the player for the big
occasion.
"I don't agree that Mesut has not had an impact on big
matches,'' Sogut added.
"What about the win at home to Chelsea this season and
Manchester United the year before? What about the
games for Germany against Italy and France at Euro
2016?
"People are always saying Mesut is not fighting or
tackling, that he has poor body language, but that is how
he is.
"Believe me, he is desperate to succeed. If it doesn't
work, he shows his anger and expressions. Was his
body language an issue when Arsenal were playing well?
"He is not someone who runs around aimlessly and
tackles just so everyone thinks he is fighting. If it
doesn't make sense to run somewhere he will keep that
power for the next run.''
Arsenal's next fixture is a FA Cup fifth-round tie away at
non-league Sutton on Monday night, when Gunners fans
will be expecting a response from Wenger's beleaguered
squad.
Sogut added: "I don't think the criticism has affected his
performance or his mental state. Mesut is committed to
the club. There is no doubt that he will perform at 100
percent, with total professionalism and commitment as
long as he plays for Arsenal. Nothing will change that.
"He is sorry to the fans, and he's sorry that he and his
teammates couldn't give the fans a better result in
Munich.''
Four of the Bayern goals came after Laurent Koscielny
had been forced off through injury.
The French defender admitted Arsenal failed to "stay
together'' as they were humbled by the Bundesliga
champions.
Koscielny told Arsenal TV: "You need to stay together,
defend together with all 11 players and keep this. We
didn't. Bayern played very well -- they have some top-
class players who can make the difference up front.''
Despite the second-half capitulation, Koscielny insists
Arsenal will fight to overturn the chasm in the home leg,
but they would have to become the first team in the
history of the Champions League to come back from a
four-goal deficit and advance.
"In football, you never know,'' he said.
"We are professional, we have a second leg and we will
try to win. But after a game like this it's very difficult.
But we'll fight because we are professional and we play
for Arsenal.''