Ozil, saying questions over the star midfielder's
desire were unwarranted despite his casual style.
The Germany international is often criticised after
poor results for his team, who sit sixth in the
Premier League ahead of hosting Manchester
United on Sunday.
Wenger believes there should be no queries over
Ozil's hunger as he defended the 28-year-old's
performance in a loss to Tottenham last time out.
"I believe last Sunday to just criticise Mesut Ozil's
performance does not reflect exactly what
happened on the pitch," he told UK newspapers.
"Overall I believe recently he has put a lot of effort
in. He was a bit, like the rest of the team, not
physically at his best.
"Overall the big players get more criticised than
the others. Secondly his style is more fluid, less
aggressive but it doesn't mean you want it less."
Ozil, out of contract in mid-2018, is one of
Arsenal's stars and has seven goals and six
assists in 28 league games this season.
The former Real Madrid man's form has been
inconsistent, but while Wenger admitted to
frustration, he can accept the unpredictable
displays.
"At the end of the day you want all your players to
be at their best in every single game so when they
don't achieve that of course you are frustrated," he
said.
"But we've all played football, we know we are only
human beings and you have to accept the ups and
downs."
Arsenal are six points adrift of fourth-placed
Manchester City but have a game in hand ahead of
hosting United.
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