Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes that Mesut Ozil is beginning to prove his worth at the Emirates following his return from injury.

The German World Cup winner has faced criticism ever since he moved to Arsenal from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 for a £42.5m fee.

The 26-year-old spent three months on the sidelines with injury, but in his first full game at the weekend, Ozil impressed with a goal in the Gunners' 5-0 win over Aston Villa.

While Mertesacker believes that Ozil was played out of position on the left during Arsenal's rout over Villa, the defender believes that his fellow German is growing in confidence.

"It was not on his best position in my opinion, he played more on the left side, but he can play anywhere up front," the London Evening Standard quotes Mertesacker as saying.

"It is good for him to get back his fitness maybe on the wing he is doing a bit more defensive work as well. He was always that promising talent, and now he is showing a lot more, he has had so much experience in his young career."

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League table, level on points with fourth-placed Southampton.