Arsenal must start Mesut Ozil in the North London derby on Sunday, according to TV pundit Paul Merson.

The ex-Gunners midfielder thinks that his former side will be pressed heavily by Tottenham, and it will be very important to have as many passers on the pitch as possible:

“Tottenham have to play like they did last weekend [against Chelsea], or Arsenal have every chance. But if they squeeze them, they haven’t got the ball players to play around it. They should start Mesut Ozil because they need all the passers they can get.”

Ozil was surprisingly omitted from the starting line up against Bournemouth last weekend after manager Unai Emery stated that he needed more physicality and intensity in the team for the game.

The German was, however, not in the squad for last night’s 3-0 win over Vorskla in the Europa League, indicating that he will be recalled to the first eleven for the Spurs clash.

Prior to his omission versus Bournemouth, Ozil had captained the side in four consecutive league matches, and it will be interesting to see whether Emery hands him the armband again in the crunch encounter at the Emirates this weekend.