Unai Emery insists nothing has changed in his relationship with Mesut Ozil as the German enjoys a regular run in the Arsenal first team after a slow start to the season.
Ozil has been left out of the starting XI in only one of Arsenal's last seven games - a 1-1 draw against Tottenham - and it was notable that Emery, who has doubts over his best-paid player's ability against the toughest of opponents, opted to hand the playmaker a start against Manchester United in the final league match before the international break.
Emery is expected to stick with Ozil for Arsenal's first game in 18 days, at home to Newcastle, having found a 3-4-1-2 system that allows his No.10 to thrive in the space behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Ozil found himself in and out of the team at the end of the year, with Emery doubting his ability to produce for Arsenal in away games after a particularly indifferent display at Crystal Palace in October.
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His manager would subsequently say Ozil needs to be more regularly available amid injury and illness issues if he was to force a regular role for himself at Arsenal. That is just what the 30-year-old has done, explaining why he is now a more regular presence in Emery's side.
"There’s been no change in his quality, his performance," the Gunners head coach said. "He is being consistent in training and each match for us.
"He is training, he is playing and being consistent. Sometimes he starts in the first XI, sometimes he is on the bench, but he has a good mentality."
The form of Ozil and Aaron Ramsey and their ability to adapt to Emery's demands have been crucial in Arsenal's recent revival, which has propelled them firmly into Champions League contention. Indeed a win over Newcastle would take the Gunners over north London rivals Tottenham and into third.
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Both Ozil and Ramsey have proven to be difficult players to fit into Arsenal line-ups but Emery went to great lengths to praise their tactical flexibility.
"Mesut can play right or left or as a No.10 in different systems, also with Ramsey playing with three or two, getting more in the opposition box," he told football.london.
"I used this information to repeat to the players and I think the players are very open in their mind to playing in different positions to help us but giving us big performances and a good attitude."
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