Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has urged supporters to lay off teammate Mesut Ozil.
The German playmaker has come under fire following his display in Wednesday night's 2-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.
Ozil, who joined the Gunners from Real Madrid for £42million in the summer, saw his early penalty saved by Manuel Neuer before going on to complete a 90-minute effort devoid of any killer instinct and intent.
Ozil has been criticised recently by fans and the media but his compatriot Podolski believes the 25-year old must not be made a scapegoat for Arsenal's failure to beat the reigning European and Bundesliga champions.
"Everybody is disappointed because of yesterday's result. However, that's football," Podolski wrote on his Facebook page.
"It's not fair to diss Mesut. Critic is part of sports and this is good -but polemic is not. Picking one player out doesn't help the collective and the whole club neither!
"He's an outstanding player who will make all of us happy in future. A missed penalty won't change that. This happens to me and to every footballer. Friends stand together. So lets go! Poldi."
