Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has urged Mesut Ozil to step up to the plate in the big games next season in order to justify his price tag.

The Germany international impressed at the Emirates Stadium last time out following a difficult maiden campaign at the club he joined in a £42m deal.

However, Lehmann believes that consistency is still lacking from his compatriot's game, which is preventing Ozil from becoming one of the world's best players.

"Everyone knows he can be a fantastic player. But you need to be a fantastic player in the big games," he told The Sun. "You don't need to be a fantastic player in the small games and mediocre player in the big games.

"He can definitely do that but now he must prove it. You need to know how to think and how to programme yourself. Of course he can improve. You can't get better on the day that you retire from football - but you can every day before that."

Ozil made 32 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions last season, scoring five goals from his midfield position.