Emery: The key to Ozil’s Arsenal future is in his own hands

Unai Emery has said Mesut Ozil’s future at Arsenal is in his own hands amid ongoing uncertainty around the playmaker’s standing at the club.

Ozil has been in and out of the Arsenal team this season for a number of reasons, leading to suggestions of a rift between the player and his manager.

Does Ozil have a long-term Arsenal future? Five key things to know…

1. Ozil signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in January last year; BBC Sport claims it is worth £350,000 a week.
2. The German struggled with injuries and form issues last season but the arrival of Emery gave him the chance to make a fresh start.
3. However, Ozil has missed 23 matches for Arsenal this season and has sometimes been left out of the squad for tactical reasons.
4. Regardless of his lack of game time, Ozil is still highly rated and considered one of the best players at the club.
5. The 30-year-old has created more chances per 90 league minutes this term (2.13) than any other Arsenal player with over 180 minutes to their name.

Emery may call upon Ozil in Thursday night’s Europa League round-of-32 second leg against BATE Borisov – the Gunners trail the tie 1-0 after losing in Belarus.

But the Arsenal boss believes the club will not see the best of Ozil until he is consistently available for training and games.

“The key is in his hands. He is working very well this week,” Emery said, as quoted by Football London.

“I ask him in our conversation for consistency, to be available for us for training, when you can train consistently you can help us with your best performance in the games.

“This week has been good for all the players. I am looking at him doing the training like we want.

“He needs to be available consistently for training, without the injuries, without the sickness.

“Without that we can see the best Mesut with us.”

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Emery: Europa League “very difficult” to win

Part of the reason Arsenal pursued Emery in the summer was the Spaniard’s record in the Europa League, a competition the Gunners will be aiming to win this season.

Emery ] lifted the trophy three times in a row during his spell in charge of Sevilla.

But the former Paris Saint-Germain coach insists it will be tough for Arsenal to win the Europa League this term.

He added: “The Europa League improved a lot, it’s very difficult to win.

“Every team wants to win this competition, it gives you a title and the chance to play in the Champions League.”

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