Arsenal: The 5 players who must step up to make top five

4. Mesut Ozil

Under Arteta, Mesut Ozil enjoyed the best form of the post-Arsene Wenger era. Sadly, that is not saying very much at all. Most specifically, and perhaps surprisingly, he has worked extremely hard. He now presses from the front, as Arteta demands, tracks runners deep, and often tops the team’s running charts.

Ozil has also been composed and progressive in possession. He receives the ball very well, especially under pressure, and he has routinely helped Arsenal move attacking play up the pitch. Where he has underwhelmed, however, is in the final third, which is where he has previously been so brilliant.

Ozil has played 12 games in all competitions under Arteta. He has just one goal and one assist. His expected goals tally just 0.8 and his expected assists is just 1.5. They are not the numbers of an elite creative presence. If Arsenal are to reclaim Champions League qualification with an unlikely late-season run, Ozil has to get back to his most productive best.