Robert Pires has praised Mesut Özil and his importance to the Arsenal side, and he believes the German’s relationship with head coach Unai Emery is better now.

In recent weeks, Mesut Özil has been making a comeback in Emery’s Arsenal side. He made the starting eleven for the 2-0 win over Manchester United, which ended a run of eight straight games against the big six where he was either benched or left out of the squad.

Not only that, but Emery counted on the German in both of the last-16 matches against Rennes, and the 30-year-old got back in the goals and assists in the recent Bournemouth clash.

Robert Pires thinks the relationship between player and coach has improved, and he admits it’s important to see Özil in the starting lineup.

“It’s better now,” Pires said (via JOE). “He hasn’t started many games because he’s been injured with a small back problem. But now, the most important thing is to see Mesut in the line-up.

“He’s very clever, he can make good assists and sometimes he can score. For me, he’s like Dennis Bergkamp, he’s a magician, a maestro. Of course, he’s not a warrior, like Dennis… or like me. But in the team, you need everything. And when you have Mesut, he’s important.”

Arsenal now face the most crucial period of the season, with a Europa League quarter-final against Napoli and must-win games every week in the Premier League.

Only a few points separate 3rd and 6th in the league, so where Emery’s side end up will depend on whether star players like Özil, Aubameyang and Lacazette can step up and make their chances count.