Mesut Özil has challenged his side to improve upon their third placed finish last season.

The Germany international stated that the Gunners can go on a run like they did last season.

“We were the best team in the second half of the season [last season] — we went on a roll and recorded 13 wins,” Özil told the German newspaper Express.

“The team has not changed that much, so why shouldn’t we be able to achieve that just a bit earlier this season?”

Özil was rested against rivals Tottenham in the Carling Cup north London derby. The 26-year-old missed the 2-1 victory but is expected to return to the starting lineup against Leicester City at the King Power stadium today.

The Gunners will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hand of their London rivals Chelsea last weekend.

Leicester are the only unbeaten side in the Premier League this season and sit in forth place in the league after six games.

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