Cesc Fabregas became the latest former Arsenal player to leap to the defence of Mesut Ozil on Thursday, naming the out-of-favour playmaker as one of the five best players in the club's recent past.
The German World Cup winner has been frozen out under new boss Mikel Arteta and left out of both the Premier League and Europa League squads this season.
Ozil has not played since March, and faces sitting on the sidelines until at least January while picking up a weekly wage of £350,000.
Jack Wilshere defended his former team-mate on Twitter this week, insisting that Ozil remains the 'best player' at the club.