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Wed 15 February 2017 15:12, UK

By Dominic Toner

Martin Keown believes that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must ensure that Mesut Ozil delivers a top performance against Bayern Munich.

The Gunners travel to the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday night for the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie with the German heavyweights.

The north London club have a torrid record in the Champions League and have been knocked out in the last 16 for the past six consecutive seasons.

Ozil is regarded as one of the best players in the Arsenal squad, but his form has dropped considerably in recent weeks.

Ex-Arsenal defender Keown claims it’s crucial that the midfielder is at his best against Bayern and Wenger must challenge him to get back to his best.

“This is the perfect chance for Mesut Ozil to demonstrate his desire,” Keown wrote in the Daily Mail. “He is going back to Germany where he is an iconic figure: a World Cup winner.

“I don’t know whether responsibility sits well on his shoulders. Ozil looks as if he does not want to be burdened with the expectation of running and winning a game. Wenger needs to challenge his leading playmaker to step up.”

Ozil still has a strong record for the Gunners this season despite his recent struggles, scoring nine goals and supplying eight assists in 28 appearances.

The Germany international has won the World Cup in the past and was a part of a successful Real Madrid side.

However, the attacking midfielder has been unable to enjoy the same success since his move to the Emirates Stadium and is without a league or European title.

A number of Arsenal supporters have grown frustrated with Ozil as they believe he is guilty of being lazy on the pitch, despite possessing unquestionable technical ability.

In other Arsenal news, a Sky Sports pundit believes Wenger has made the wrong decision ahead of the Bayern Munich clash.

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