Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Mesut Ozil is already fighting for his Arsenal future under Unai Emery after being substituted during the recent derby defeat at the hands of Chelsea. The German footballer endured a difficult World Cup during the summer, which saw him retire from national team duty, and he has since struggled to make much of an impression with the Gunners.

As such, there has already been criticism over his performances from different sides of the game and Neville has now indicated that the midfielder could be fighting for his Gunners future. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Mesut Ozil, he can’t press from the front, so he’s basically got to give him an opportunity, give him enough rope to see what he’s going to do with it. The reality of it is he said to Mesut Ozil in the lead up to the second game you’ve got to work harder.

“That’s the first time I’ve publicly heard anyone call Mesut Ozil out and that’s after one game.Second game he hooks him and subs him. He’s working him out. He’s saying if you don’t want to press, if you don’t want to do what I’m saying you’ll be out of the team. He’s working out those players.”

Gunners boss Unai Emery has spoken positively about the quality Ozil possesses on the playing field but the Spaniard has not been afraid of making shrewd decisions when required. The manager publicly sounded the need for Ozil to improve shortly after the Manchester City defeat and the Blues game thereafter has seen him hauled during the second half after another average performance.

With successive defeats, Arsenal have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign since the 1992/93 season but they have the opportunity to erase the disappointment when they entertain West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium this weekend. Like the Gunners, West Ham have performed poorly and they come into the game after defeats versus Liverpool and Bournemouth to start the season.