Mesut Ozil in race to be fit for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is facing a race to be fit in time for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

The Germany international has been ruled out of Thursday night’s Europa League game against Ostersund after picking up an illness at the start of the week.

And Arsene Wenger admitted he will have to work hard over the coming days in order to make Sunday’s match at Wembley.

He said: “Mesut was sick until today (Wednesday), today was his first training session. He was in bed Monday, Tuesday. I would certainly have played him.

“Because he was sick he will have to work hard tomorrow and I will not play him.

“He should be okay for Sunday.”

Wenger also revealed that he would stick to his season-long assignment of goalkeeping duties and pick David Ospina ahead of Petr Cech for the final.

Asked about whether Ospina would play, he said ‘yes’ before continuing: “It’s always a difficult decision but I think we are clear about that since the start of the season.

“‘I have two world class goalkeepers and decided from the start on to have clarity about the games they play.”