Mesut Ozil starting ‘to deliever on a consistent basis’ says Henry, which Arsenal will need

Arsenal great Thierry Henry believes Mesut Ozil is finally demonstrating the form that persuaded his old club to pay £42 million (Dh236.3m) for the player two years ago.

And the club will need him at his best, after a painful League Cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday that knocked out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring) and Theo Walcott (calf).

Arsene Wenger's side have endured a frustrating week after the high of hitting the head of the Premier League table last Saturday by beating Everton.

Arsenal’s stint at the top lasted just 24 hours but they will attempt to maintain the pressure on leaders Manchester City when they travel to Swansea City on Saturday.

Crucial to that effort, especially with the ranks thinning at the Emirates Stadium, will be Ozil’s increasingly influential contributions, said Henry. The Germany international has provided more assists than any other Premier League player this season.

“For me, he has finally started to deliver on a consistent basis. We all know his quality; he is a World Cup winner; his touch is second to none; he has vision; he shares ... everything is there,” Henry told Sky Sports.

“The only thing you can say, in all fairness, is that before he wasn’t doing it on a consistent basis.

“Now, he looks like he’s doing it every game so you have to give him credit.”

Wenger’s side will nonetheless head to South Wales still smarting from the dismal 3-0 League Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Wednesday in midweek.

The pain of that defeat was compounded by the loss of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott, with both players out until the coming international break which means they will also miss next week’s Champions League visit to Bayern Munich.

With Aaron Ramsey also sidelined, Wenger will be forced to turn to his fringe players including Alex Iwobi, who is in contention to make his Premier League debut on the right flank.

Wenger is keen not to move Santi Cazorla from the centre of midfield following the Spaniard’s impressive run alongside Francis Coquelin.

The 30-year-old admits he is enjoying the switch to a deeper position.

“It’s a position I really like, though of course it means I’m further away from the opposing area so I have fewer chances to score,” Cazorla said.

“I’m finding my best form and I’m really enjoying the new position,” he told Arsenal’s website.

“You have different responsibilities. In terms of defence, you have to defend more and you have to help the team more in terms of making sure you’re well-positioned to ensure the players in attack can stay fresh.”

Mesut Ozil starting ‘to deliever on a consistent basis’ says Henry, which Arsenal will need

'His touch is second to none, he has vision, he shares, everything is there' says Thierry Henry of Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, 'now, he looks like he's doing it every game'.