A clique of Arsenal's players are lobbying manager Mikel Arteta to re-register Mesut Ozil for the second-half of the season.

Ozil's return is backed by a group of senior players after he impressed in training recently, says the Telegraph.

Top earner Ozil, whose £350,000-a-week deal expires in the summer, was left out of the squad for the Premier League and Europa League at the start of the season but can be reinstated after the January transfer window.

The former Germany playmaker, off contract in June, can officially speak to other clubs from Friday but could be brought in to boost a lacklustre campaign that received a welcome lift with a 3-1 win at home to Chelsea on Saturday.

Ozil has been a persistent presence on social media during Arsenal's uncertain start to the campaign, admitting that he wished he could 'help the team' during a Question and Answer session with fans on Twitter this week.