Thomas Muller backs up Arsenal’s Mesut Özil

Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Muller has defended compatriot Mesut Ozil for his lacklustre display during the German side’s Champions League win over Arsenal, telling reporters that the Gunners midfielder has suffered from the number of games he has had to play and the lack of a winter break.

Muller, who scored Bayern’s second goal against the North London club, believes that it is “very hard” to play in England due to the volume of games and raised concerns that Ozil could be mentally tired during this summer’s World Cup.

“It’s very hard to be a professional footballer in England,” opened the Bayern forward.

“You have many more games than we do in Germany and no break in the winter.”

Having pointed to the lack of a winter break, Muller continued by suggesting that the effects of the intensity of the Premier League is as much mental as it is physical.

“Normally the body can regenerate by the time of a tournament but the mental thing is harder to recover from,” said Muller.

“It’s not easy for Mesut but I know how good he can be and I hope he has many good games for Arsenal.”