Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Mikel Arteta can still find a way to work with Mesut Ozil.
Ozil, 32, was axed from Arteta’s Premier League and Europa League squads this season and he is now odds on to leave in January.
Wenger told ESPN: “He was not difficult to manage.
“He was a guy who had a special quality as a creative player and needed to have fun.
“He is an artist and these guys are a bit more sensitive.
“They need support and an environment that pushes them to give their best.”
The 71-year-old added: “You have two ways to see a football team.
“You get everybody to do the same – the same intensity of work, the same defensive work – or you find a compromise.
“You have a more creative player in the team who can do less defensive work but you build a team around him who can compensate for these deficiencies.
“That is what you have to think about.”