Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed fit-again Mesut Ozil to start proving his mettle for the club.

The Germany ace has struggled to scale the heights expected of him since joining the Gunners for a club-record £42.5m from Real Madrid 19 months ago.

Injuries have hindered his bid for improvement this season, with the 26-year-old recently returning to first-team duties following a three-month layoff with a knee problem.

"Ozil is a fantastic player," Wenger told Sky Sports News.

"He will come back very strong and we are in a position where we have the luxury to have him back now and where we have some players who are completely fresh and rested."

Ozil has scored eight goals and registered 16 assists in 48 appearances for the North Londoners.