Mesut Ozil has constantly been accused of being lazy since joining Arsenal three years ago.
The German playmaker’s laid-back demeanour makes him an easy target for derision when things aren’t going well.
Former German international Mehmet Scholl criticised Ozil’s “indifferent” body language following the country’s goalless draw with Poland.
Ozil hit back, saying: “I’m sorry but quite honestly I don’t care what others say,” and this statistic will tell you why the 27-year-old is so relaxed about receiving criticism.
The German has won the ball back in the final third more than any other player at Euro 2016.
Mesut Özil: Has won possession in the final third more times (7) than any other player at Euro 2016; Ramsey & Coman joint second (6)
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 4, 2016
Ozil has reclaimed possession in the final third seven times in the tournament, one more than Kinglsey Coman and his Arsenal teammate Aaron Ramsey, whose all-action, energetic style will be sorely missed by Wales in their semi-final against Portugal.
Coman has been used mostly from the bench in the tournament, but still managed to win the ball back six times in the final third.
The notion that Ozil is lazy should now be dispelled, and the player can now get to work on improving his penalty statistics. Ozil missed during the penalty shoot-out against Italy, and in the last-16 game against Slovakia.
Mesut Özil has now missed 4 of his last 5 penalties for club and country. #GER pic.twitter.com/MKgtE4pwJ3
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 2, 2016
