Arsenal news: Mesut Ozil should only play at Emirates - Ray Wilkins

MESUT OZIL should only play home games for Arsenal, according to Ray Wilkins.

Steve Nicol: Arsenal mediocre without Mesut Ozil

Injury meant Ozil wasn't included in the Arsenal squad to face Chelsea last Sunday and in his absence, the Gunners earned a creditable draw.

It was a stark contrast to their previous away performance at Anfield when they were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool and Ozil was among those singled out for a poor work ethic.

Ozil is likely to return for Monday's clash with West Brom at the Emirates.

But as a result of Arsenal's improved display, Wilkins reckons manager Arsene Wenger should consider dropping Ozil when they play away from home as he is a liability to the team.

I would only play Ozil at the Emirates, personally. Away from home, you have to fight and you have to fight to eleven. You can’t fight as ten.

Ray Wilkins

"I don’t think he will get back in the team. The way Wenger set things out at Stamford Bridge – he did it remarkably well," Wilkins told AskFans.

"I would only play Ozil at the Emirates, personally. Away from home, you have to fight and you have to fight to eleven. You can’t fight as ten.

"Ozil is a wonderfully gifted footballer, don’t get me wrong. I love him to pieces, but you have to work for the team.

Mesut OzilGETTY

Mesut Ozil's work ethic is often criticised

"When you lose the ball – get yourself back and start working the for team. If you look at the team on Sunday, they were fantastic. They had a fantastic work ethic.

"(Granit) Xhaka never left the front of the back four, (Aaron) Ramsey went off and did what he did – they didn’t play Sanchez, they didn’t play Ozil and it worked.

"Ozil has to conform to what’s happening with the team. As an attacking force, he’s wonderful but when you lose the ball, you need to lose it as eleven, not ten and that’s what happens."

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