Lukas Podolski has piled pressure on Arsenal boss Unai Emery to finish in the top four this season and qualify for the Champions League.
And he's instructed the Gunners manager to play compatriot Mesut Ozil more often to achieve this difficult goal.
Ex-Arsenal forward Podolski won the World Cup alongside Ozil for Germany back in 2014 before moving on loan to Inter Milan and then Galatasaray permanently in 2015.
Ozil remained at Arsenal and is now the north London club's best-paid player, but has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates under Emery.
Emery is on course to return Arsenal to the Champions League after a two-year hiatus this season, with the club currently sitting fourth in the Premier League.
Thierry Henry labelled a 'pain in the backside' by former Arsenal team-mate
The Gunners do face serious competition for a top four spot from Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham however with the end of the season fast approaching.
But Podolski has told Emery there are "no excuses" for a club the size of Arsenal to miss out on the competition for a third year in a row.
And he believes that playing Ozil more often is the key to finishing the season well.
Podoloski told Four Four Two magazine : "Mesut's a good friend of mine, and a top player who can make the difference on the pitch.
Adrien Rabiot rejects Liverpool transfer after reaching 'verbal agreement' with rivals
"He can get Arsenal back into the Champions League places. They're definitely better with him in the starting line-up - he's got that eye for a special pass.
"They have to finish in the top four. For a club of Arsenal's size, there's no excuse for going three seasons in a row without Champions League qualifications - they need Ozil to help them."
