Arsenal are carrying Mesut Ozil and he is 'sulking' his way out of the club, says Martin Keown

The German is entering the final 12 months of his contract this summer

Ozil has only managed a third of the number of assists he got last season (Getty)

Arsenal have been carrying Mesut Ozil this season and looks to have given up on his teammates, according to former defender Martin Keown.

The German World-Cup winner has refused to sign a contract extension at the club, with his current deal due to expire next summer – the same time as that of Alexis Sanchez.

However, while Sanchez, despite being visibly frustrated, has continued to give his all, Ozil has looked disinterested and lethargic.

Ozil only has six assists this season, compared to the 18 he had at this point 12 months ago, and Keown, writing in the Daily Mail, said it has now become a case of Arsenal carrying the 28-year-old and it seems like he is trying to “sulk” his way out of the club.

“Arsenal are simply carrying Mesut Ozil and they cannot afford to do so,” he wrote. “It is very clear that he is not giving everything to the cause.

“It looks as if Ozil has given up on his team-mates. I don’t know whether he is trying to sulk his way to a move.

“Who does he think he is kidding with his performances? He is supposed to be Arsenal’s most influential player, their playmaker. Against Tottenham he was just jogging around the pitch.

“Ozil cannot be upset with any of his team-mates if he is not prepared to work hard himself.”