Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says he is fine with the criticism he has received over his poor form in the past weeks.

The 28-year old's frustration reached boiling point in last week's North London derby loss when he reportedly kicked a door in the tunnel.

The German's performance in the highly important match was also criticized. Arsenal great Martin Keown suggested Ozil had 'given up on his teammates' and ex-Spurs star Jamie Redknapp said Ozil played like a 'passenger'.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger leapt to the defence of Ozil following the match, but he did happen to question whether Ozil could handle criticism.

He said: "I think he embraces the challenge to play big games. Does he embrace the challenge to be criticised? I'm not sure.

For Ozil, he believes that the criticism doesn't affect him because it is something he has had to deal with for his whole career.

"I know what I can do and it doesn't affect me really. I've played for Real Madrid, I've played for Germany and I've had praise and criticism throughout my career and it's only made me stronger.

"For me what's most important, as I've always said, is the manager's opinion because when it comes from him you know it's the truth, be it positive or be it negative.

"There's some people that like me and some people that don't, but I give no worth to those opinions, really.

"They can have them, but I know what I can do. My stats show that I do give my all and I give my best."

Arsenal are away to Southampton on Wednesday night in what is a crucial match for Arsenal, Wenger and Ozil.