Paul Merson Struggling To See Emirates Future For One Arsenal Star Following North London Derby

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has revealed that he struggles to see a place for Mesut Ozil in the side when they play like they did against Tottenham.

The Gunners beat Spurs 4-2 at the Emirates Stadium in the North London derby on Sunday in the Premier League.

Ozil missed the clash after being ruled out with a back injury before the game.

Merson made it clear that he is a ‘big fan’ of Ozil but that he does not see how he fits into the team ethos.

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The former Gunners star told Sky Sports: “I’m a big fan of Ozil but if Arsenal are going to play like they did against Spurs, work like that as a team and close down, you can’t have one not buying into it.

“It doesn’t matter how good you are because everybody has got to be singing off the same hymn sheet, and I don’t see that with him.”

The playmaker of Turkish origin now faces a race against time for match fitness ahead of the Premier League trip to Manchester United on Wednesday.

It remains to be seen whether head coach Unai Emery will make use of Ozil even if he is match fit.

Ozil did not feature in the previous game against Bournemouth either despite being named in the matchday squad.

The 30-year-old has a total of four goals and one assist in all competitions for the Gunners in all competitions this season.