EUROPA LEAGUE RND OF 32

UNAI EMERY has challenged Mesut Ozil to tear up the sicknotes and start earning his money at Arsenal.

Ozil has missed at least 12 matches this season through illness or injury, becoming more and more a peripheral figure.

And former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger this week admitted handing the 30-year-old a new £350,000-aweek contract last year may have put him in his comfort zone.

But Emery is set to recall Ozil after his latest illness to help Arsenal turn around their Europa League last-32 tie with BATE Borisov.

And he wants the former Germany star (above), whose long-term future with the club remains in doubt, to start showing more consistency.

Emery said: “It’s in his hands. And he is working very well this week. I ask him in our conversations to be consistent. To be available for us in training.

“When you can train with regularity and consistency, you can help us after in the games.

“Now I think this week is good for all the players because we are in an important moment for the season. I am looking at him in the training like we want. I know he wants.

‘‘But he needs to be consistent, be available for training, for the matches. Without the injuries, without being sick.

“Like that, I think we can see the best Mesut with us.” The Gunners suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in Belarus last week and have only overturned a first-leg deficit in Europe once in the last 40 years.

They will be without suspended striker Alexandre Lacazette, who was sent off late on in the Borisov Arena for an elbow. But Emery insists things will be different at the Emirates and INCLUDING qualifiers, Belarusian sides have lost three of their four previous visits to English clubs in the Europa League. The other was won by BATE Borisov away at Everton in December 2009. BATE BORISOV have won each of their last three Europa League games – they had only won two of their previous 16 (D5 L9). said: “Firstly, the grass is better, and we are with our supporters. At home we feel strong, and we need to impose our strong game plan on them, with respect and not doubt.

“Also in our mind, we can be prepared for extra time and penalties, because we need to be prepared for all the situations that can come.

“We can learn more in the difficult moment. But we need to be relaxed, efficient, and concentrated on our own game.”

Along with Ozil, Arsenal should also welcome back injured pair Sokratis and Aaron Ramsey, though neither is likely to start.

Emery’s side have lost five of their last 10 games in all competitions, but he insists they are not feeling the pressure, despite him calling an emergency team meeting yesterday to thrash things out.

The Arsenal boss added: “I feel my demand is very big and for us it is the same. I am not speaking with the players, telling them we are playing under pressure.

“We are playing with our big demands because we want to play a match like that, and I am looking for our response against them (Borisov) after this bad result.

“It is a very big opportunity for us and also a very big challenge for us.

“I spoke to the players and told them we must be in good preparation to make the most of this big chance to progress.”

ARSENAL will host BATE Borisov in Europe for a second time, having beaten them 6-0 in last season’s group stage at the Emirates. ARSENAL haven’t failed to score in both legs of a two-legged tie in Europe since the Super Cup final in February 1995, when they followed up a goalless draw at home to AC Milan with a 0-2 defeat away from home. IGOR STASEVICH, who assisted BATE’S winning goal in the first leg against Arsenal, has at least three more assists (seven) than any other player in the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League.