Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Mesut Ozil to start repaying his hefty £42.5m price tag upon returning from injury.

Despite an initial period of success, the Gunners' club-record signing from Real Madrid has struggled to scale the heights expected of him since joining the club last September.

The 26-year-old had come in for fierce criticism this season prior to suffering knee ligament damage in last month's defeat at Chelsea.

However, Wenger is convinced that the German playmaker will ultimately prove his mettle in North London.

"He had a very good first season with us," the Frenchman told beIN Sports. "I think we will see the best of Ozil in the seasons to come."

Ozil has scored eight times and bagged 16 assists in his 14-month stint with Arsenal thus far.