Thierry Henry challenges 'unplayable' Mesut Ozil to make Arsenal 'his team' after Alexis Sanchez exit

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Thierry Henry believes Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has the ability to fill the leading role vacated by Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean was the undisputed stalwart of Arsene Wenger's team but has since left to join Manchester United.

Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been earmarked as a direct replacement for Sanchez, but Henry believes Ozil has an opportunity to become the biggest jewel in Arsenal's crown. 

Mesut Ozil has been challenged to make Arsenal 'his team' by club legend Thierry Henry

Henry believes Ozil can become the new jewel in Arsenal's crown after Alexis Sanchez's exit

Speaking in the aftermath of their 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, Henry told Sky Sports: 'He [Ozil] has to make it his team.

'Alexis Sanchez is gone. If he plays all the time like he did against Crystal Palace, he's unplayable.'

For Arsenal to become Ozil's team, however, the club must first tie him down to a new contract. His current deal expires at the end of the season, but there is growing confidence at the Emirates Stadium that he is minded to stay. 

The 29-year-old will be free to leave in the summer and Sanchez's new club are one of many who have been credited with an interest. It is not yet clear whether the huge outlay they made to sign Sanchez will affect that.

Sanchez left Arsenal to join Premier League rivals Manchester United earlier this week

Ozil has been 'unplayable' in Arsenal's recent matches against Crystal Palace and Chelsea

It appears Arsenal are doing their very best to make sure they are an attractive place to play football. Along with the continued pursuit of a club-record deal for Aubameyang, they have also signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Following his arrival, the Armenian said he was looking forward to playing alongside a player similar to himself, and described his new team-mate as an 'assist king'.  

Mkhitaryan told the club website: 'Here at Arsenal I know that lots of players move a lot and it's incredible the way the team plays. I will do my best to assist them as well.

'I think it will be really fun to play alongside Ozil. Everyone knows he's a fantastic player, he's an assist king.

'His intelligence, the way that he can understand the game, reads the game, plus the way he gives pace to the game and of course his final decision.'  

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed he can't wait to link up with the German at Arsenal