Wenger set to rest Ozil after his Bayern nightmare as Giroud returns

(The Mirror)-Wenger to recall Giroud as he backs Ozil to bounce back from his Bayern penalty miss on the day that Dennis Bergkamp's statue is unveiled at the Emirates

Arsene Wenger is ready to take Mesut Ozil out of the firing line after his nightmare week.

The Arsenal manager will hope that being rested today will see Ozil refreshed and firing again for the title run-in.

The German international was distraught after the penalty miss against Bayern Munich put the under-performing £42million record signing back in the spotlight.

Striker Olivier Giroud will be recalled, having been dropped for Arsenal’s last two games after he was caught in the team hotel with a glamour model.

Giroud returns against Sunderland today in place of rookie striker Yaya Sanogo, who will be rested.

Wenger offered his full support to both players yesterday, even though he cast some doubt over Ozil’s inclusion against the Black Cats.

The Arsenal boss even said he hoped Ozil will go on to emulate club legend Dennis ­Bergkamp, who will have a statue unveiled in his honour at the Emirates today.

Giroud has also been left down and surprisingly out of the team but Wenger believes he will bounce back after being given a rest.

His absence probably has as much to do with his mental state as needing a break after apologising to his wife and the club for being caught out in his room the night before a game.

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