Jamie Redknapp has been full of praise for Arsenal star Mesut Ozil following the German's "brilliant" performance against Liverpool.
The World Cup winner scored in a 4-1 hammering of the Reds at the Emirates on Saturday.
The 26-year-old has faced plenty of criticism for dipping in and out of form since his £42.5m move from Real Madrid in 2013, but Redknapp believes that the midfielder deserves credit for his performance against Liverpool.
"There's no doubt that Mesut Ozil is an easy target for ex-pros and pundits, but when he's at his best he is worth paying to watch," Redknapp wrote in his Daily Mail column.
"I'd much rather see a quality player do something special than a bunch of grafters with nothing to show for it. Against Liverpool, Ozil was at his brilliant best in a massive game.
"You don't become a Real Madrid hero or win the World Cup without being something special. Ozil is just that."
Arsenal are now second in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Danielle Joynson
