Raphael Honigstein believes criticism from former Germany players towards Mesut Ozil is unjust despite the world champions' disappointing start to the World Cup.
Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Effenberg highlighted the Arsenal playmaker for a supposed lack of effort in the world champions' defeat to Mexico in their opening group game.
Ozil and his international teammate Ilkay Gundogan, both of Turkish descent, were heavily condemned for being photographed with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan before travelling to the World Cup in Russia.
Germany and Turkey have had frequent diplomatic showdowns in recent years while Erdogan's government has been accused of violating human rights.
And Honigstein believes the German public are allowing Ozil's meeting with Erdogan to interfere with their perception of his performances on the pitch.
"I think it's an easy way to get at him," Honigstein said.
"It is not something that will come as a huge shock to Arsenal fans who have had these discussions in the past.
"Ozil exudes that kind of vibe that when things don't work for him or the team his shoulders drop and he does seem a little bit lost.
"I personally don't think that he was the issue. I think Germany had other problems and I feel he was one of the few players who actually had a decent game. Of course he wasn't at his usual standard but then it was difficult because everyone else had a stinker.
"But Effenberg is a guy who did all sorts of really horrible stuff. Effenberg was sent home from the [1994] World Cup for showing the middle finger to German fans.
"It's a little bit disingenuous that he would now decide how an international player would perform because he certainly didn't.
"But putting all that side, there is the issue with the Erdogan meeting and with this slight disaffection of the German public towards Ozil because of what happened."
James Hopper
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