Mesut Ozil has a future at Arsenal despite being dropped, says Unai Emery
German midfielder was dropped for the club's Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham in midweek for 'tactical reasons'
MESUT OZIL has been told he DOES have a future at Arsenal by Gunners' boss Unai Emery.
The midfielder was dropped for the club's Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham in midweek for "tactical reasons".
He has started just 11 of Arsenal's 26 matches this season after struggling to nail-down a place in Emery's plans.
However, the Spaniard insists there is a way back for Arsenal's highest-paid player and he is in their squad to face Burnley tomorrow.
When quizzed if Ozil had a future at the Emirates Stadium, Emery said: "Yes, why not?
"I want every player with a good mentality to help us and give us their characteristics and quality. We need Mesut Ozil.
"Every player wants to play and be okay to help the team when we need. The frustration is the same for everybody when they didn't play in a match.
"But I spoke with him and with the regularity in the season, I am telling him what we need from him and he has the commitment to help us.
"[He has] the quality and the characteristics to help us when the team needs his moments in the pitch in one game."
Meanwhile, Emery will haul his players in for training on Christmas Day ahead of their Boxing Day clash at Brighton.
He added: "It's my first experience here at Christmas working and playing, but I like my work. I want to enjoy playing, I want to enjoy the time with our players and supporters.
"But we also have time to be with our family, the players and the coaches, and we can see everybody at Emirates Stadium or watching the matches on TV away.
"We are going to adapt to this Christmas working because last year I had 10 days for holiday and in Spain it's seven days usually.
"But I think the players here have the habit to work and we are going to have Sunday off, then Monday and Tuesday will be preparation for Brighton.
"We are going to travel on Wednesday morning and they can have the day Tuesday with their family for lunch.
"I think they are very, very responsible players and they are aware that they need to enjoy time with their family, but with the responsibility of playing a lot of matches over Christmas."