Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil apologises to fans after Bayern Munich loss

Mesut Ozil’s penalty is saved by Manuel Neuer in Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has issued an apology to the north Londoners fans after he missed a crucial penalty in their 2-0 Champions League last-16 defeat at the Emirates stadium last night.

Arsene Wenger’s side had made a brilliant start against the reigning European champions and were in the ascendency when Jerome Boateng brought down Ozil in the penalty area with a clumsy challenge.

The £42.4 million signing stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but produced a feeble attempt that was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, with boss Wenger later criticising his lazy run-up.

The Gunners never recovered from the early dent to their confidence and were reduced to 10 men when Wojciech Szcz?sny brought down Arjen Robben. Although they were handed a reprieve when David Alaba also missed his penalty, Toni Kroos put Bayern in front just after half time before Thomas Muller added a second strike late on.

Santi Cazorla was withdrawn after Szcz?sny’s dismissal and Ozil played on the left hand side of Arsenal’s midfield three but although he put in a shift, the former Real Madrid man drifted out of the game and appeared to be going through the motions.

Having received widespread criticism for his display Ozil has delivered an emotional apology to his fans, via his official Facebook page. With over 100,000 likes already, maybe the Arsenal faithful are in a forgiving mood, even though their hopes of reaching the quarter final stages are in tatters.