Mesut Ozil had an excellent first half of the season at Arsenal. He contributed seven assists and four goals from fifteen league games, and the arrival of a recognized ‘world-class’ player at the Emirates, not only boosted their goal tally statistically, but also brought the best out of the team as a whole, because it provided a real confidence boost.

However, since around December time, it is fair to say his season has gone rather pear-shaped. The German has provided just one assist in his last nine appearances, and had a shocking game against Liverpool on Saturday. So how should Arsene Wenger handle his downturn in form?

Over the last twenty years, what has made Manchester United a success, was that Sir Alex Ferguson had a certain knack of maintaining a tight competition for places. In some cases, this meant dropping the bigger name players in favour of the fringe players, whose performances perhaps merited more game time. That way, the fringe players remain motivated knowing they have a chance of getting into the first team, but crucially, the bigger name players, understand that they have to work hard for their place.

Mesut Ozil has not been dropped for a league game since New Years’ Day, when he has contributed little, and there are plenty of other players who can provide creativity. Because Ozil plays in the ‘number 10’ role, Santi Cazorla has often been forced out wide to the left, when his best position is a roaming role behind the front man. Tomas Rosicky can also play there, albeit as more of a midfielder than a second striker.

Throw in Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain and youngster Serge Gnabry, and there are plenty of players capable of operating in that sort of position, either in the hole or from wide cutting in. It is not as if Mesut Ozil is Arsenal’s only flair player. It could do his focus and performances a lot of good to be left out, or put on the bench for one or two games. Any of the aforementioned players would want to prove that they deserve more game time. If they do well, Ozil may start to put in more committed performances, contribute more to the team, and thus provide more goals and assists.

February and March is a key time for Arsenal. The Gunners have a very difficult, and congested period of fixtures, as they target a Premier League title, an FA Cup win, and progress in the Champions League. Keeping Mesut Ozil fresh, focused and motivated with healthy squad rotation, could help their chances of ending that nine year wait for silverware.