Arsenal news: Wenger's side will be mid table if Sanchez and Ozil are dropped - Nicol

ARSENAL would be a mid-table side if Arsene Wenger decided to leave Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil out of the team.

Wenger confident of Sanchez commitment this season

That is the opinion of Liverpool legend and pundit Steve Nicol.

Arsenal drew 0-0 with Chelsea yesterday, their first point at Stamford Bridge since 2011.

Sanchez started the game on the bench as he continues to build his fitness and Ozil missed the game due to a minor knee injury.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claimed the Gunners played better against Chelsea because the star duo were not playing.

Arsenal news Alexis Sanchez Mesut OzilESPN

Arsenal news: Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil must start for the Gunners, says Nicol

If you don’t play Mesut Ozil and you don’t play Alexis Sanchez, you’re basically turning yourself into a run-of-the-mill team

Steve Nicol on Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez

However, Nicol does not agree, and says if Wenger wants to win football matches, he must bring them back into the side.

“If Arsenal want to be a mediocre, run-of-the-mill team, then they don’t play the Ozils and the Sanchezs,” Nicol said on ESPN FC.

“The point is, Arsene Wenger wants to play football and if you’re going to have a team that wants to play football, you have to play Ozil. 

“If you don’t play Ozil and you don’t play Alexis Sanchez, you’re basically turning yourself into a run-of-the-mill team. 

Arsenal news Mesut Ozil Alexis SanchezESPN

Arsenal news: Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have both been linked with moves away

“Because you will fill the team with Coquelins and Elnenys. 

“If you don’t play Mesut Ozil, then you’re putting in an inferior footballer and that means your going more for the physicality over the quality. 

“If Arsenal want to be a mediocre, middle-of-the-table team, fill your team Arsene with strong characters but less footballers, and that’s where you will end up.”

Arsenal are back in action on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup against Doncaster (7.45pm) at the Emirates.

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