Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has insisted that Mesut Ozil will return to top form in the near future.

Ozil has been the target of criticism in recent weeks due to below-par displays, but Mertesacker believes that his international teammate could not have been expected to perform at a high level in every game during his debut season at the Emirates Stadium.

"Mesut has played a lot of games and he is a massive player, we need him at his best," the German told reporters. "Game by game, he will come back stronger.

"It is not normal to come here and perform well in the first season over 50 games.

"Mesut is very important for us and he is a very creative guy. We need his assists and his goals, so the best is to encourage him."

Ozil missed a penalty as Arsenal lost 2-0 to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.