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Arsenal team news: Gunners legend demands ONE star starts vs Huddersfield
ARSENAL legend Gilberto Silva has demanded Mesut Ozil returns to the Gunners starting XI.
Ozil has been out of favour at Arsenal since Unai Emery replaced Arsene Wenger at the Emirates last summer.
The former Germany international has played just one Premier League game since the Boxing Day draw at Bournemouth.
Ozil has struggled with illness and back problems and has also been left out of squads for tactical reasons.
But Arsenal are not exactly thriving on the pitch without the 30-year-old, dropping to sixth after last Sunday’s 3-1 loss at Manchester City.
This kind of player, you have to give them responsibilities. What’s the best way to give him responsibility? Put him on the field
Gilberto says Mesut Ozil must be given more responsibility by head coach Emery.
And he says the best way of giving a player responsibility is by picking him from the start of a match.
“He has to be on the field,” Gilberto told talkSPORT.
“A player of his calibre cannot be on the bench, in my opinion.
“People are always trying to find something to talk about Ozil – ‘why is he not playing and when he is playing why is he not playing well?’
“This kind of player, you have to give them responsibilities.
“What’s the best way to give him responsibility? Put him on the field.
“Right now it’s down to the manager. It’s a good challenge for Unai.
“What’s the best set up for the team? Why not find a way for the team to play and find a place for him, where he can be important for the team?
“I think for Arsenal fans its difficult to see him on the bench.”
Arsenal are next in action on Saturday afternoon as they visit Huddersfield (3pm).
Huddersfield are rock bottom of the table, 13 points from safety.
Manager Jan Siewert is yet to pick up a point since being appointed in January.