Arsene Wenger is certain that Mesut Ozil can follow in the footsteps of Robert Pires and become an Arsenal legend.

The German joined the Gunners on deadline day in early September and has endured an inconsistent start to his Premier League career, although he still possesses the highest number of assists this season.

"I believe that he has a personality," Wenger told reporters. "He works quite hard. He is adapting to the physical challenges of the Premier League.

"He looks to me like Pires. It took a while for Pires to adapt to the physical side of the game. Once he had adapted he was absolutely amazing. He is a similar type of player."

Ozil is likely to face his former manager Jose Mourinho tonight when Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium.