Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defends Mesut Ozil's nightclub visit

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refused to condemn Mesut Ozil for visiting a nightclub in Berlin just hours after missing a game with illness.

The German World Cup winner played no part in the Gunners' 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on March 21.

Less than 24 hours after the Premier League meeting, Ozil will spotted at a nightclub in his homeland, but Wenger has insisted that he just popped in to deliver birthday wishes to a friend.

"He went out for half an hour to a birthday for his friend to wish him well," Wenger said in this morning's press conference. "You can't stop someone wishing happy birthday to a friend!"

Meanwhile, Arsenal are preparing to face Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday.