Ozil missed the Gunners’ 0-0 draw against Everton on Saturday due to injury, and was heavily criticized after his reaction to being substituted in Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester City in the Premier league last week.
Arsenal are keen to rebuild after appointing Arteta as head coach, and Nicholas believes it starts from offloading dissatisfied players.
“Defensively, in midfield, in attack – Aubameyang’s all over the place, [Alexandre] Lacazette doesn’t get a game and feels unloved – he might have to sell them to get some money in,” the former Arsenal forward told Sky Sports.
“The other issues, the big ones, are the leadership issues that he has to take on.”
“Does Ozil fit? No, well he can go. Xhaka? There is interest from Hertha Berlin, you can go because what you did would not suit what I want. There are many big decisions to make.”
“It’s easy to say get rid of six or seven players but they aren’t ready to replace them yet, so that’s the hard part.”
“But the first thing he must do is walk in the dressing room and say ‘here’s my rules, here’s the way I’m doing things, I’m leading this football team now so get on board or move on’.
“It’s as basic as that for Arsenal to start the proceedings.”
“It’s not easy, with the state Arsenal are in nothing is easy. Forget about style, because they don’t have a style, he needs to go in there and sort the issues.”
Confidence is low at the Emirates stadium, as the North Londoners have won just one out of their last 13 matches in all competitions.
