Mourinho hopes the other Ozil turns up at Arsenal
Jose Mourinho is a big fan of Mesut Ozil but the Manchester United manager will undoubtedly be hoping Arsenal’s on-form German has one of his off days at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.
The trip to what has become a fortress for Arsenal pits Mourinho against old adversary Arsene Wenger with anything less than a win of no use to either as they chase runaway leaders Manchester City.
The Gunners are on a run of 12 successive home wins in the Premier League, bolstered by a 5-0 demolition of Huddersfield Town on Wednesday with Ozil and Alexis Sanchez both on the scoresheet.
Ozil is unlikely to be lacking in motivation, with the flair player often criticised for drifting in and out of matches - out of contract at the end of the season and on Mourinho’s radar.
The two were together at Real Madrid before Ozil moved to Arsenal and the Portuguese to Chelsea.
His man of the match performance against Huddersfield had Wenger singing his praises.
“Everybody knows he’s a great football player,” said the Frenchman. “He shows also that he can fight.
“I think he always covered the distance. Maybe he’s at an age, he’s mature, where he understands what’s important and less important. The judgements are sometimes harsh in this job.
“When you look at the percentage of possession, no matter the game, he always wants the ball. He never hides. He’s always available.”
Arsenal, 12 points behind City, are without record signing Alexandre Lacazette for the match after the French striker suffered a groin injury against Huddersfield.