Premier League: Arsenal's Mesut Ozil feels he has nothing to prove to critics

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil accepts he will always be an easy target for the critics but says he has nothing to prove to anyone.

The Germany World Cup winner answered the growing doubters with an eye-catching display in Arsenal's 3-0 victory at Aston Villa last Saturday.

He swept in the opening goal and created the second for Danny Welbeck when deployed in a more central role by manager Arsene Wenger.

The 25-year-old has continually found himself under scrutiny since becoming Arsenal's £42million club record signing from Real Madrid on deadline day in September 2013.

"I don't play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal," he said. "I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.

I don't play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal. I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.

"We have only just started the season and we have new players in key positions. The collective game, which is something I have a lot to do with, cannot then just work well from one day to the next.

"Just 10 weeks ago I was elected to the team of the season in England (via an internet poll). I was a world champion then.

"It was the summer break and after a few games of the new season everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer."

Ozil is likely to be one of several first-team players rested by Wenger for the Capital One Cup tie at home to Southampton on Tuesday evening but should again be the key man for Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates.

The cup tie could see a debut for Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, who has yet to feature apart from on the bench after regaining fitness following a summer move from Nice.

Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell may be another deployed against the Saints, along with fit-again midfielder Abou Diaby.