Ozil starts as captain as Arsenal hosts Cardiff
The playmaker has been named in the first XI for a top-flight game for the first time since the 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Boxing Day.
Ozil had been struggling with a knee problem before missing out on the 1-0 loss to West Ham, although he did return to the bench for the 2-0 victory over Chelsea on January 19, and he appeared as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last Friday.
Unai Emery's side can go level on points with fourth-place Chelsea in the table if they beat Cardiff.
@MesutOzil1088 captains the side tonight #ARSCAR pic.twitter.com/EvUwKVJx2V
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 29, 2019