The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Mesut Ozil has told his critics he has nothing to prove despite receiving continued stick from sections of the Arsenal support.
The 25-year-old signed for a club record £42million last summer and struggled through periods of his first season at the club.
Despite winning the World Cup, Ozil had an indifferent tournament in Brazil and - until Saturday - struggled to make an impact for the Gunners since returning.
But the Germany international bounced back from an underwhelming performance in Dortmund to put in a man of the match showing at Villa Park on Saturday, and believes performances will continue to improve as the new players gel.
"I don't play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal," Ozil told DPA. "I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.
Five things Tottenham must do to avoid embarrassment at Arsenal
"We have only just started the season [at Arsenal], we have new players in key positions. The collective game, which is something I have a lot to do with, cannot then just work well from one day to the next.
Ozil was named in the Premierleague.com's 2013/14 team of the year after a users' poll attracted more than 12,000 votes and the German used the results to point out how quickly opinions are moulded and remoulded.
He added: "[Just] 10 weeks ago I was elected to the team of the season in England.
"I was world champion then. It was the summer break and after a few games everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer."
