Mesut Ozil seems to have won Unai Emery round and, after starting five of the last seven games for Arsenal, is in line to captain the side against Newcastle on Monday night at the Emirates.

Ozil may only have four goals and two league assists in the Premier League this season but there is no doubting the difference he makes to this Arsenal side when he plays.

After a rocky start under Emery, it seems like they have worked out their issues.

Speaking before the game against Newcastle, Emery explained what’s happened to make a difference and why he is likely to start Ozil.

“His quality, his performance… he is being consistent in training and each match for us,” Emery said. “He is training, he is playing and being consistent. He has a good mentality.”

Emery then went on to discuss what he expects from each match:

“Each match gives us the possibility to progress,” he added. “First is in the table, second is improving as a team, in our system, tactically and individually.

“I want to be better each match and I think each player can progress. Each player can show us he is improving. In the table, our objective is very clear — to be in the top four. But we know this is difficult and each possibility, like Monday, is good.

“In 90 minutes we have different systems and different players. We need to continue doing that and maybe we can be consistent.”

Mesut Ozil has only played against Newcastle four times in his career, winning all four while scoring three and assisting one.

A win for Arsenal over Rafa Benitez’s men in north London will take them to third place, two points ahead of Spurs and United and three above Chelsea.