Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann admits that Unai Emery may need to work with Mesut Ozil on the defensive side of his game if he is to be more involved with the Gunners.
The 30-year-old has only featured twice for Arsenal so far this season, with Ozil making just one appearance in the Premier League in the 2-2 draw against Watford, while he also started the Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest last week.
But the goalkeeper from Arsenal's Invincibles season in 2003/04 believes that there are improvements that need to be made in Ozil's game if he is to fit in and play in Emery's preferred system.
However, he is confident that Ozil can do so, with Lehmann making a statement about what the 30-year-old can offer the team.
“I think there is a challenge of course to include a player like Mesut [Ozil] and not lose your defensive stability," Lehmann told Talksport.
“If you have too many players going forward and one behind who is not an expert in defending – Mesut can defend, but because he is so offensive minded and such a great player, sometimes it can take a little bit more to do the defensive work, and that is the manager’s place now to get that into him or improve him on that side."
Meanwhile, Lehmann said he hopes that Arsenal can get back into the top four this season, with the Gunners preparing to face Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight (Monday).
And the former German international said it will still be a tough game for Arsenal, despite United's mixed start to the new season.
“I haven’t seen Manchester United that often, but I have seen highlights. They are not as dominant as they have been before, and it looks like, since Alex Ferguson left, they have been trying to find the right balance at the club," he said.
“From the outside, Manchester United are still seen as one of the biggest clubs of all, and I always like to see these big clubs performing at their best, and I would like to see Arsenal doing the same.
