Mesut Ozil holds out Arsenal hope but Mikel Arteta and transfer chief Edu hand ace problem

But Arsenal legend Paul Merson has told Arteta he should make a grovelling apology to Ozil for freezing him out and bring him back into the squad next month.

The former Gunners and England midfielder said Ozil could be the answer to the lack of creativity which seen Arsenal lose three of their last four Premier League games and draw the other.

Merson claimed Ozil could have helped unlock the defence in last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham, and could have done the same in Sunday’s clash against Burnley.

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“Go and knock on Mesut Ozil’s door, say you’re sorry and you need him to play!” he wrote in his Daily Star column.

“I’m not saying play him against Manchester City or Liverpool, when you’re not going to see much of the ball,” said Merson.

“But against teams like Spurs or Burnley, he can get on the ball and dictate things and make a few decent chances.”