Laurent Koscielny believes Mesut Ozil is “unstoppable” when he hits the heights he reached against Leicester last week. However he challenged the German to repeat that performance on a regular basis to prove he is a truly great player.

Ozil was instrumental in Arsenal’s recovery from a goal down to beat Leicester 3-1, scoring the equaliser, providing the decisive pass for the second and assisting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the final goal.

The German playmaker, Arsenal’s highest-paid player, was noticeably off the boil in his next match, Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace, when Unai Emery felt compelled to substitute him. Ozil reacted in frustration to that decision, throwing his captain’s armband to the floor.

It is a familiar tale for Ozil, who since Arsenal’s title challenge in the 2015-16 season has struggled to consistently alter the course of games.

“Mesut’s deserved all the plaudits he got after his performance against the Foxes,” Koscielny said. “He was incredible. His goal bailed us out before the break and then his pass for Hector on our second goal is the best ball you will see all season. And he added an assist for Auba after a great dummy and understanding with [Alexandre] Laca[zette].

“When Mesut is in this form, he is unstoppable and makes us win. He has extraordinary qualities. There are not many players like him in the world right now capable of producing a pass the like for Hector, beating four opposition players with just one ball.

“His display on that night will stay in people’s minds for a very long time. It is a case of ‘I was there when Ozil had that performance against Leicester.’

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“However, he needs to be at this level as much as possible this season. Great players are the ones playing at their best the whole season.”

Club captain Koscielny is continuing his rehabilitation from the Achilles injury he suffered in May and recently rejoined first-team training ahead of a possible return to action next month.

“I am continuing my recovery and I am getting closer to a return,” he said. “I don't want to rush anything but it is a great feeling to take part in training sessions with the squad again."