Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has shrugged off recent criticism of his performances, believing that he has been singled out for scapegoating for most of his footballing career.

The German midfielder, who scored and provided an assist in the Gunners' 3-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday, defiantly claimed that he has nothing to prove.

Ozil is quoted as saying by Marca: "I don't play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal.

"I have the feeling that I am criticized more. That happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.

"We've only just started the season, 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 signed by Arsenal for £42.5m from Real Madrid last year.