Ozil is a liability —Gerrard

Steven Gerrard has called Mesut Ozil a ‘liability’ away from home as Arsenal fell to their first defeat of the new season at Stoke on Saturday.

Jese Rodriguez’s low drive across Petr Cech in the second half gave Mark Hughes’ side all three points at the Bet 365 Stadium.

But it was the manner of the performance of one of Arsenal’s biggest star players that so enraged the pundits on BT Sport after the game, and they did not mince their words.

Liverpool’s Under 18 coach hit out at the German playmaker: ‘Arsene Wenger has got to address it as out of possession you’re a man down.

‘He’s left me frustrated – we’ve seen him on his day when he fancies doing both sides of the game he is a world-class talent.

‘I just worry about his reaction and body language – when the ball is turned over he offers his team-mates zero. Away from home he’s a liability – he just doesn’t do enough.

‘It’s clear to see that out of possession he doesn’t want to know – he only wants to be on the ball, trying to create and making things happen.

‘But world class players do both – when they lose possession they put a shift in for their team-mates and it was clear that didn’t happen.’

Former Gunners defender Martin Keown added: ‘The likes of Bergkamp, Henry and Vieira gave everything in the game – they put their foot in and could play.

‘Arsenal can’t afford to carry someone like Ozil. He needs to have a good look at himself.

‘He’s not kidding us, when we’re watching the game. It felt like he was going through the motions a lot of the time today.’