Former Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has defended Mesut Ozil’s World Cup performance and explained why he struggled in Russia.

Ozil has been slaughtered after Germany were knocked out of the World Cup during the group stage.

Ozil was dropped for the only game Germany actually won – the comeback match against Sweden – and toiled against Mexico and South Korea.

His dad has even suggested he should retire rather than continue to take the flak.

Germany came into the tournament as world champions but were the first top nation to bow out.

And Wenger thinks Ozil’s performances were the result of the pressure and criticism he faced before the tournament.