Man Utd vs Arsenal: Shaka Hislop says Mesut Ozil has a battle to get back in the Gunners squad (Image: ESPN/GETTY)
Ozil has not played for Arsenal since the 1-1 draw with Wolves on November 11.
The German dropped to the bench for the Premier League clash at Bournemouth 10 days ago.
He did not come on as a substitute and was also not part of a youthful squad that travelled to Kiev to play FC Vorskla in the Europa League last Thursday.
Ozil was expected to return to the squad for the visit of Tottenham in the first north London derby of the season on Sunday.
The bigger question now is how does Ozil get himself back into the squad?
Shaka Hislop on Arsenal star Mesut Ozil
However, the 30-year-old was not amongst the 18 and was said to be struggling with a back spasm.
Arsenal won the game 4-2 after a stunning second-half performance at the Emirates.
And ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Manchester United, Hislop says Ozil has a fight to get back in Emery’s plans after his team played so well without him against Spurs.
“You look at how he’s used or not used Mesut Ozil over the last few weeks,” Hislop said of Emery.
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Hislop says the Gunners performed perfectly well without Ozil against Spurs (Image: ESPN)
Man Utd vs Arsenal: Mesut Ozil has not featured since the draw against Wolves (Image: GETTY)
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“Now, I’m not sure what prompted this, a lot has been written about it.
“A lot has been speculated about Ozil and injury, whether he would have featured or not (if he was fit).
“But when you see Arsenal perform as they did (against Tottenham), the bigger question now is how does Ozil get himself back into the squad?
“As Unai Emery’s already shown, ‘if you cut across my authority, I’m taking full charge here’.”
Whether Ozil plays or not, Hislop is backing Arsenal to win at Old Trafford for the first time since 2006 in the Premier League.