Ozil: Mertersacker is my Arsenal hero

While Mesut Ozil is increasingly earning hero status at Arsenal, the German star has revealed he has his very own idol at the club.

Club and international team-mate, Per Mertesacker, 32, is the man who Ozil says sets a good example for the rest of the Arsenal dressing room to follow.

The centre-back has been missing for three months with injury but, while he has been missed on the pitch, Mertesacker has certainly made his presence felt off it.

Ozil said: “I’ve known Per for a while, because we’ve played together in Bremen, for the national team and here too.

“I can only say positives about him. He gives everything for the team, not just for himself, but for everyone.

(David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“Off the pitch, he watches the games and comes into the dressing room. He’s just a role model and we’re pleased to have him here.

“I want him to get fit again and back on the pitch as quickly as possible.”

Ozil and Mertesacker were both summer deadline day signings for the Gunners, the former in 2013 and the latter two years earlier.

They have become firm favourites at the Emirates Stadium, but previously linked up at Werder Bremen where they were part of the German Cup winning team.

They have won two FA Cups with Arsenal and were both a part of the 2014 World Cup winning squad for Germany.