OZIL NOT SURE OF A START

Wenger has options

ARSENE WENGER admits that Mesut Ozil is no longer a certain starter.

The German midfielder used to be one of the first names on the Gunners’ team sheet.

But after a poor start to the campaign and continued doubts over his future, Arsenal boss Wenger believes that Jack Wilshere and Alex Iwobi are both ahead of him in the queue.

Ozil is available for today’s trip to Watford following a knee injury but he may have to wait his turn.

Wenger said: “Of course he is important. But I have many players – we speak about Jack and we speak about Iwobi.

“They are all players who play in this similar position and it is very interesting because it gives me a lot of opportunities to keep them all focused and refreshed.

“Mesut is working hard now. He is only one week back in training, since Monday he has joined in. He has worked hard.”

Ozil last started a match on September 9 but Arsenal have won five and drawn one of their last six games.

The 28-year-old, along with Alexis Sanchez, has yet to sign a new deal ® despite over a year of contract wrangling. Wenger has conceded that the pair could now be sold in January, but the Frenchman is still a big Ozil fan.

He added: “People go quickly to conclusions. Last year we played the last 11 games and won 10.

“We beat Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final and Chelsea in the final and he played as well. You can always find the example. But it’s true that we have done well recently.

“We live in the world where people have opinions and sometimes they are right and sometimes they are not always proven right over the longer period.

“You need players who have quality and Ozil is one of the best players in the world.”

Wenger is considering turning to Wilshere for the first time in the Premier League this season.

He said: “If the competition was less ferocious, he is ready to play. I wouldn’t be scared to play him.

“What I mean is that when I go to the Europa League, people think I give the same importance. In the Premier League he can play, he is nearly back to his best now.”