Paul Merson has urged Unai Emery to give Mesut Ozil a chance to shine, calling him 'their best player'.
The German international has become something of an outcast after falling out of favour at the Emirates Stadium leading to speculation over a move away.
A summer move appeared likely at one stage but his £350k-a-week wages was a significant stumbling block as the midfielder was unable to find a new club.
Arsenal have been doing well this term and sit in third place in the Premier League table, but writing in his column in the Daily Star, Merson says that the club would benefit from using a player of Ozil's calibre.
He said: "Mesut Ozil should be starting Arsenal's next few games so they can take advantage of how badly Tottenham and Manchester United are struggling.
"If Spurs and United don’t get their act together, Arsenal and Chelsea will finish in the top four – and now is the time to put them under pressure.
"Five of Arsenal’s next seven games are against teams in the bottom half of the table, and the other two are against Crystal Palace and Leicester.
"Arsenal have to make hay while the sun shines and their rivals are struggling, so they have got to put some points together in these games and go on a run.
"It’s a big few weeks for them – and that’s why I would play Ozil. I personally think he’s their best player.
"In terms of ability and talent he’s the best player at the club.
"He’s a luxury player, and the manager has obviously decided he can’t carry a player like that in a team that’s already one of the worst around without the ball.
"But with these games coming up, Arsenal are going to have 70% of the possession. He thrives in those situations.
"Unai Emery should bring him in from the cold. But he won’t.
"If he plays Ozil and they win, he has to keep playing him, and the manager doesn’t want that. The manager wants him out.
"And if that’s the plan then they are going to have to swallow a pill and get rid of him in January come what may.
"He’s on £350,000-a-week and he’s not playing and doesn’t look like having any chance of playing. I think that’s a mistake.
"But if Emery has made his mind up, Arsenal are going to have to find him a move – and they will have to subsidise his wages to do it because no-one else is playing him that."
