Pochettino Identifies Arsenal's Key Threats Ahead of Emirates Showdown

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is one of the best 10 players in the world.

Pochettino's team face Arsenal on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium and the German playmaker is one of the biggest concerns for the Argentine manager.

Former Espanyol Coach Pochettino knows Ozil, as well as his teammate Santi Cazorla, extremely well because he managed against both of them when he was in charge of Espanyol.

"I rate Mesut Ozil as one of the top 10 players in the world," said Pochettino of the former Real Madrid star in a press conference.

"It is clear they are two great football players. It is clear that you cannot afford to grant them any space or time to think because they are players with individual actions who can decide a game on their own.

"They are amazing talents as we saw in La Liga and now as we see in the Premier League, so we have to be really careful with the two of them."

Arsenal defeat's against Manchester United in their last Premier League game has created some doubts about the Gunners' title credentials, but the Southampton boss believes they can hold their Premier League leadership until the end of the season.

"I would say Arsenal is the one that's playing the best football in the league. I think they can win the league but I also think that there are other teams that are going to be in the running to win the league. I think it is going to be a hard-fought competition throughout until the end of the season."