Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal news: Pundit tells Unai Emery what he must do to finish above Man Utd and Chelsea
ARSENAL boss Unai Emery must start playing Mesut Ozil if the Gunners are going to have any chance of finishing in the top four this season, claims former Tottenham midfielder Tim Sherwood.
Arsenal: Unai Emery 'the key is in Mesut Ozil's hands'
Ozil has played just one Premier League game for Arsenal since Boxing Day.
The German has missed matches due to injury and illness but has also been left out of match day squads for tactical reasons.
Arsenal currently sit fifth in the Premier League table with 12 games of the season remaining.
Manchester United are one point ahead in fourth and Chelsea are only below the Gunners on goals scored.
They need to get him on the pitch and playing for Arsenal because it's their only chance of getting towards the top four
And Sherwood says Arsenal’s only chance of finishing above both teams is by having Ozil on the field.
"He can't do anything right in Unai Emery's mind at the moment,” Sherwood said on Sky Sports.
“For me, he has to play. I would play him.
“I’d get the best out of him because of what they have at their disposal.
"I don't think they've got the quality of Mesut Ozil.
“He needs to play and it's up to the manager to get the best out of him.
“You're paying him £350,000 a week, to do what? To do nothing.
“It's a glorified Fitness First. It's no good.
"They need to get him on the pitch and playing for Arsenal because it's their only chance of getting towards the top four."
Arsenal: Dixon reveals Emery’s ‘big problem’ at the moment
On Wednesday Emery claimed Ozil must start proving why he should be in his team.
"He needs to be consistent in training and for matches, without injury or being sick," Emery said.
"Like that, we can see the best Mesut with us.
"The key is in his hands and he is working very well this week."
Arsenal are next in league action on Sunday when they host Southampton (2.05pm).