OZIL’S GUNNER BE NEW MAN

UNAI EMERY hopes Arsenal will gain where Germany lost when a focused Mesut Ozil returns to action against Leicester tonight.

The midfielder quit international football after Germany’s World Cup exit in the group stages – and ‘Die Mannschaft’ suffered another two humbling defeats last week to set a new record of six losses in 2018.

Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has claimed that his £42m signing could lose motivation now he will no longer pull on the German shirt in big tournaments.

But Ozil has shown glimpses of his old form this season with two goals in an Arsenal side which has won nine consecutive matches.

Emery said: “I explain with the players who are playing with the national teams, it is not easy as they are playing two matches.

“When the players stop these games maybe it can lead to more focus for us, with training and improving on things. It could help him find our idea more quickly.”

Thrashing

Ozil is fit to play after missing the 5-1 thrashing of Fulham with a back spasm.

Gunners boss Emery has not picked the German and Henrik Mkhitaryan in the same starting team since the opening two league defeats of the season.

Asked what has improved since then, Emery said: “The first thing is who is the opposition. Manchester City and Chelsea were the first two games.

“Their qualities and performances are very, very high. But also we are doing things our way and we are improving. We need to carry on to find our best individual and collective performance to stay close to them.”

Former Gunners target Jamie Vardy, who also retired from national service in the summer, has six goals in six league starts against Arsenal.

“He has talent, he has speed for the counter-press,” said Emery.

“We will not want to give him possibilities to continue scoring against us.”