Robert Pires compares Mesut Özil to Dennis Bergkamp | OneFootball

Arsenal legend Robert Pires sees many similarities between Mesut Özil and his old team-mate Dennis Bergkamp.

Özil has struggled for form and fitness this season and looked on the verge of leaving the Gunners in January.

But the German has worked his way back into Unai Emery’s plans over the last couple of months, and Pires believes the 30-year-old is a vital member of the squad.

“It’s better now,” the Frenchman told JOE.

“He hasn’t started many games because he’s been injured with a small back problem. But now, the most important thing is to see Mesut in the line-up.

“He’s very clever, he can make good assists and sometimes he can score.

“For me, he’s like Dennis Bergkamp, he’s a magician, a maestro. Of course, he’s not a warrior, like Dennis… or like me. But in the team, you need everything.

“And when you have Mesut, he’s important.”

Arsenal head into the weekend’s fixtures a point behind local rivals Tottenham but Pires is confident that his old side can finish the season strongly and secure a place in the top three.

“The gap between City and Liverpool [and the rest] is huge,” he added.

“But if you want to win the title, you need to be more consistent, so you need to win games home and away. Unfortunately Arsenal are not in this position. At home, we play well, but away we lost some very important points.

“But look, we are just behind Tottenham.

“So that’s why now I’m positive – well, I’m always positive – but I think we can finish in the top three. This target is very exciting for Arsenal and of course for the players.”