Arsenal legend Paul Merson has sympathy for the current circumstances of Mesut Ozil.

The Gunners star is enduring a frustrating period under boss Unai Emery, who refuses to pick Ozil in most of his matchday squads.

The German may be the club's highest earner, but he is struggling to get into the 25-man squads for most games.

"Ozil doesn't play because he doesn't run around," Merson told Sky Sports.

"He would play in my team, because he can make things happen. Then you get two midfield players around him who do run around.

"He's on £350,000 a week - and that's the problem. If he was on £10,000 a week, he would play every week even if he didn't run around. Because he's on £350,000 a week that means he has to.

"I would be wondering how am I not getting in this team? He might have gone past the point of frustration now and be wondering, 'what am I doing?' You would have to weigh it up.

"He played in the Watford game away and I don't think he did anything wrong, but he hasn't played since. He gets in my team.

"Until he's out of the club, I don't see how Arsenal can bring new players in. If they go for a top player next summer, they will point to Ozil being on £350,000 a week.

"Ramsey left the club because he wasn't offered anywhere near the same as Ozil and he left on a free transfer."