Arsene Wenger: 'Mesut Ozil can play anywhere'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed speculation about Mesut Ozil's best position ahead of the meeting with Tottenham Hotspur this evening.

The German has come in for criticism in certain sections since his club-record £42.5m switch from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, but turned in a goal-scoring performance against Aston Villa last week.

The ex-Los Blancos midfielder starts in this evening's North London derby, and Wenger has given his playmaker the chance to operate in a free role.

"I'm not surprised when Mesut plays well," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "Even when he plays on the flank he moves away from the position and he has complete freedom, so I believe he's just where he loves to play.

"He can play anywhere, let's not forget he's a world champion, playing on the left wing [for Germany].

"I'm expecting a committed game, very aggressive, so we'll prepare ourselves mentally for a big battle but not forgetting to play our game. We need to keep calm under pressure, hold our nerve and work hard."

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League.