Mourinho hopes Özil has an off day

Old rivals Wenger, José to battle it out

London – José Mourinho is a big fan of Mesut Özil, but the Manchester United manager will undoubtedly be hoping Arsenal’s on-form German has one of his off days at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

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 Özil and Alexis Sanchez both on the score sheet.

Özil 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 Özil moved to Arsenal and the Portuguese to Chelsea.

“Everybody knows he’s a great football player. 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 judgments are sometimes harsh in this job,” said Wenger.

United, who won 4-2 at Watford on Tuesday night, are second in the league but eight points adrift of leaders City.

Past encounters between Mourinho and Wenger have given the Portuguese plenty of happy memories, but United have been beaten on their last two league trips to Arsenal, without even scoring.