Mesut Ozil can give Arsenal the boost they need, says midfielder

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes that Mesut Ozil’s return to action can give Arsenal a timely boost at a crucial stage of the season.

The Germany international has only just returned for the Gunners after a three-month lay-off with a knee injury but scored as Arsenal ran out 3-2 winners at Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Theo Walcott also found the net after his own lengthy spell out injured as both players started the FA Cup fourth-round tie.

And midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain says Arsenal’s returning stars can have a big impact in the coming weeks as the Gunners look to climb their way back up the Premier League table.

“For a large majority of the season we have been without Mesut, and Aaron for a spell and Theo as well,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal Player.

“To have those kinds of players back is only good for us, and I’m sure they’ll come back and play a massive role in the rest of our season.

“It has been a bit of a strange up-and-down season. There have definitely been better starts but as you look at it at the moment, we are still there or thereabouts and there is still a lot of football to be played.

“We are still in a really good place in the Champions League, still in the FA Cup and in the league it is tight at the top around the teams in third, fourth and fifth.

“Chelsea have a little lead on everyone, but in terms of football to be played I think it’s quite exciting to think how the back end of the season could go.”

Arsenal, who were drawn against Middlesbrough in the fifth round of the FA Cup this week, host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.

The north London side are currently fifth in the Premier League table and 12 points behind leaders Chelseas.