Arsenal's Unai Emery Says Mesut Ozil Could 'Maybe' Face Chelsea

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has said Mesut Ozil could return to the team for Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea.

The German hasn't featured in the competition since December 26, when the Gunners drew with Brighton & Hove Albion, but Emery downplayed the absence ahead of Saturday's match:

Emery's latest comments on the matter are in contrast to what he said last week. The tactician opted not to have Ozil on the bench for the loss against West Ham United and said his absence wasn't injury-related, per Goal's Stephen Darwin.

That loss meant Arsenal have won just one of their last four matches in the Premier League and continued their poor run away from home.

Per sportswriter James Benge, Emery has not heavily relied on Ozil away from the Emirates Stadium in some time:

Things have turned sour quickly in north London after a good start to the season that included a lengthy unbeaten run. Arsenal have dropped down the Premier League standings and will start Saturday's key clash six points behind the Blues in the race for the final UEFA Champions League ticket. A loss would likely end their top-four chances.

With Manchester United in fine form under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, fifth place is far from safe, and there's a lot of uncertainty at the club away from the pitch as well.

Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is reportedly on his way out, per Benge:

Aaron Ramsey also appears to be on the verge of leaving, with the latest reports from Italy saying he has put pen to paper on a deal with Juventus:

The Gunners are in desperate need of some good news, and a win over Chelsea on Saturday would go a long way in silencing the critics. The Blues have won three of their last four and have been in solid form, but they too have struggled at times this season and have shown plenty of signs of weakness.

If Ozil does play, Arsenal should receive a much-needed boost of creativity, providing the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette with more looks in dangerous positions.

Chelsea's defence is excellent―they have the second-best mark for goals conceded in the Premier League―so every bit of help will be needed.