Arsenal legend Martin Keown reckons that Mesut Ozil has to perform every week in order to prove himself.

Keown, who’s been less than impressed with Ozil’s performances this season, wants to see how the German fares against Burnley on Sunday in order to judge whether his outstanding display in the North London Derby was just a one-off or not.

“Mesut Ozil needs to be challenged every week to put in as special a performance as he did in the north London derby,” Keown said.

“When you play Tottenham, you do not need any motivation.

“If anything, you have to keep your emotions in check. You have to play with your head, not your heart.

“A cynic would say that Ozil’s performance merely guaranteed him his move in January.

“Will he work as hard on Sunday when Arsenal travel to Burnley?

“If both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez perform as they did against Spurs for the rest of the season, they will be able to leave Arsenal with everyone’s blessing.

“They will have given their all until the last.”

Earlier in the season, Keown claimed that Ozil has been playing as if he’s already ‘downed tools’. However, now the former defender thinks that the 29-year-old could have been playing for his January move.

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(DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

The playmaker has under a year left on his current deal and has been linked with a move to Manchester United or Barcelona either in January or on a free at the end of the season.

So what is it, Ozil no longer cares or now he does care but only because he wants a move?

Interestingly, Alexis Sanchez, who’s also been poor this term, has under a year left on his contract and is almost certainly off in either January or next summer, hasn’t faced half as much criticism as Ozil.

The Chilean was brilliant against Spurs so perhaps he was also just playing for a move. However, I’d like to think that both were caught up in the terrific atmosphere inside the Emirates and had points to prove.