Mesut Ozil has revealed he is working to improve his on-field demeanour to ensure Arsenal fans don’t think he gives up in matches.
The 27-year-old regularly faces criticism for his languid style despite registering 18 Premier League assists this season - just two shy of Thierry Henry’s record set in the 2002-03 campaign.
Ozil scored the opening goal in last weekend’s 3-3 draw at West Ham but his detractors continue to claim he does not consistently influence the biggest matches when his team needs him most, especially given his status as the club’s most expensive signing following his £42.4 million move from Real Madrid in 2013.
Frustration can sometimes get the better of him and Ozil said: “My goal is to make sure my body language is right."
"When I make a mistake, I get annoyed and you can tell from my body language. But these days I try to make sure that I don’t do that anymore because in football you can make mistakes and play a bad pass.
“It is more for the fans, the people who watch the game, [rather than team-mates], because they might think that I’m not fighting anymore.”
Arsenal supporters would be rather more reassured by Ozil’s commitment were he to sign a new contract having so far refused to indicate whether he will remain at the club once his present deal expires in 2018.
Talks over an extension are set to take place at the end of the season with manager Arsene Wenger keen to keep Ozil at the club.
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