Jamie Carragher tells Unai Emery he MUST play Mesut Ozil in best Arsenal XI
Jamie Carragher believes Mesut Ozil should be starting regularly for Arsenal.
The 31-year-old was involved in a matchday squad for the first time since September 24, playing 65 minutes of Arsenal’s 5-5 draw with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
The Gunners conceded an injury-time equaliser thanks to Divock Origi’s bicycle kick, before losing on penalties.
But one positive to take from Anfield for Unai Emery was the display of forgotten man Ozil.
The German was arguably Arsenal's most impressive performer and showed his quality with a brilliant assist to set up Ainsley Maitland-Niles for Arsenal’s fourth goal.
Emery admitted Ozil had a ‘very good’ match and former Liverpool defender Carragher said he must now be restored to Arsenal's starting XI in the Premier League.
He told : "I said before the game that Ozil should run the game, he's a World Cup winner playing against younger players.
“He was really good and his role in both goals was fantastic, he showed his class and composure.
"I'm not Ozil's biggest fan but you cannot tell me he is not good enough to get into this Arsenal team, this isn't a great Arsenal team.
“The criticism with Ozil is whether he can take Arsenal to the Premier League title or the Champions League, but at the moment they are trying to get into the top four so he has to be in their team or best XI.”
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Carragher insists Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe would ‘love’ to have Ozil playing behind them.
He added: "No one is doing anything consistent for Arsenal at the moment, not just Ozil.
“Arsenal are in a position where so many players are not at the top of their game that they almost have to put up with what Ozil doesn't do.
"Forget about playing him in the big games, play him against the likes of Crystal Palace, who they let a two-goal lead slip against on Sunday, and see out games.
“If you look at the front three, I am sure they would love to have Ozil feeding them."