Should Arsene Wenger try a new approach with Mesut Ozil? (Picture: Getty)

Mesut Ozil should only be used in home games for Arsenal after a more solid performance away to Chelsea last weekend, according to Ray Wilkins.

The Germany international has often been criticised for his lack of effort defensively, and for disappearing in the big games for the Gunners.

Arsenal’s record at Chelsea is poor, but they looked more disciplined on this occasion as they ground out a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday without Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in the starting XI.

Ozil missed the game through injury while Sanchez was later introduced from the bench, but Wilkins has questioned if the former Real Madrid man is really suited to playing in those kinds of games.

Ozil, 28, isn’t known for his defensive work rate (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown also noted earlier this week that Arsenal looked a more hard-working and organised unit without Ozil and Sanchez in their ranks, and former Chelsea coach Wilkins has made a surprise suggestion to Arsene Wenger.

Whilst praising the qualities Ozil brings, Wilikins suggested that the 28-year-old only be used in home matches if he doesn’t adapt his game to putting in a shift away from home.

‘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 has long been criticised for disappearing in big games (Picture: Getty)
Wenger has been advised to only use Ozil at the Emirates Stadium (Picture: Getty)

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

‘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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