Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the recent criticism of Mesut Ozil is "a bit unfair".

Michael Ballack is among those who have expressed surprise that the German playmaker has not been able to reproduce the form he showed at Real Madrid, while playing in north London.

But Wenger expects Ozil to return to his best, once he has recovered from winning the World Cup with his national team this summer.

"It's post-World Cup. He came back on the 11th of August. It takes a few months for them to get back to their best. That can happen," said the Frenchman.

Wenger has also had to shoulder some criticism over his decision to play the attacking midfielder on the left wing, although that role allows Ozil to also drift infield.