Mesut Ozil has caught the eye with several top performances since signing for Arsenal but will become an even more influential figure according to former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour.

Parlour, 40, told Standard Sport he believes Ozil has far more to offer following criticism that he is not consistently imposing himself on games.

“Mesut Ozil will be a frightening prospect once he has completely settled into the team”, said Parlour, who is joining the Arsenal away fans on the Barclays Buses this Saturday to say thank you for their support.

“I think his best is yet to come. It says something when the likes of Ronaldo at Real Madrid were sad to see him leave because of the number of goals he set up there. He’s still learning about English football but when we see the best of Ozil he will be absolutely frightening.”

German international Ozil joined Arsenal last summer from Real Madrid for a club record £42.4 million, and during his time in English football has produced four goals and eight assists in nineteen Premier League matches so far.

Parlour also thinks the loan signing of Kim Kallstrom from Spartak Moscow will prove to be a good deal once he is fit.

“This is a crucial time of the season with games coming thick and fast. You need extra bodies now. Arsene Wenger knew the gamble he was making and has made sure that Arsenal only have to pay half his wages until he’s fit - once he is fit I think he will be a good singing for the club.”

“Kallström has got experience and can also help the younger players in the squad. When the pressure kicks in with eight games to go, every single point is important and experienced players like him can help players like Wilshere.”

Parlour also expressed delight with the impact Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. “His return from injury has been like having a new signing for the club. He can play a big part for Arsenal and England this year.

“He looked sharp against Palace. He is fast, has a good touch and he’s strong too. He’s a young lad and he’s still learning but he’s a great prospect with a good football brain on him.”

Additionally Parlour has been impressed with Santi Cazorla’s recent form since returning from injury. “Santi has been playing exceptionally well since he came back. He has looked lively and scored five goals in six games which is important since Ramsey who had been in great form for the first half of the season is now out injured.”

“Arsenal have got every chance to win the league, It’s going to be competitive towards the end but Chelsea certainly looked really solid the other night down the middle against Manchester City who also have real quality. At the moment it’s out of those three teams who’s going to win it.”

Parlour who scored 32 goals in 464 games in all competitions for the North London side thinks the Gunners will have to be at their best to win on Merseyside for Saturday's clash with Liverpool saying: “There’s always a great atmosphere in front of Liverpool’s fantastic fans at Anfield but it will be tough for Arsenal as Suarez and Sturridge will be dangerous. If Arsenal are thinking about winning the league this year it’s a very important game for them.

“Arsene Wenger knows they have an important month coming up and hopefully they can start with a good performance and a good result against Liverpool on Saturday.

“It’s also the early game, which if you get a result means you can put pressure on the other teams who play later on.”

Six thrilling Arsenal v Liverpool encounters 6 show all Six thrilling Arsenal v Liverpool encounters 1/6 Liverpool 0 Arsenal 2 –May 26 1989 Arsenal entered this First Division title decider on the final day of the 1988/89 season knowing anything less than victory by a two-goal margin would see their hosts Liverpool win the league at their expense. Having lifted the FA Cup the previous week, the Anfield club were clear favourites to win the double and George Graham’s side – who had been runaway leaders earlier in the campaign - were given little hope in their bid to end an 18-year wait for the league crown. The Reds were on a 24-game unbeaten run but conceded the initiative early in the second half when Alan Smith stole a march on the home defence and sent a deft header past Bruce Grobbelaar. And with the score tentatively poised heading into injury time, commentator Brian Moore famously declared “it’s up for grabs now,” as Michael Thomas bore down on Grobbelaar. Thomas flicked the ball home to send the 4,000 travelling Arsenal fans into delirium and conclude what remains the most tantalising climax to a top tier title race. 2/6 Liverpool 3 Arsenal 0 – August 28 1994 Robbie Fowler ensured this match would go into the history books when he bagged the fastest hat-trick in Premier league history. In a remarkable opening to the first half, John Jensen and Ian Wright went close for the visitors, who looked assured in possession and dictated the pace of the game, before Fowler upset the flow and hit the first of his quick-fire treble. Martin Keown’s clumsy trip on the right wing sparked the onslaught, as the resultant free-kick fell kindly in the box to Fowler who characteristically pounced to give the Reds a 26th-minute lead. Three minutes later Steve McManaman surged through the Arsenal midfield and slipped the ball to Fowler who expertly placed the ball past England number one David Seaman and Barnes provided his third moments later to round-off a chaotic 4 minutes and 33 seconds. The Gunners were left languishing in 14th after mustering just one win from their opening three games and they went on to finish 12th, which remains their lowest finish in the Premier League era. 3/6 Arsenal 4 Liverpool 2 - April 9 2004 Thierry Henry bagged a hat-trick to send Arsenal – who were closing in on an invincible season - seven points clear at the top of the Premier league table, but not before Liverpool had twice taken the lead. Henry oozed coolness to cancel out Sami Hyypia’s early header before Steven Gerrard’s incisive pass found Michael Owen to give the Reds a half-time lead. And after discouraging Champions League and FA Cup exits, many questioned whether Arsenal’s undefeated campaign was now on the line. But in what Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier later labelled a ‘stunning’ second-half showing from the Gunners, Robert Pires restored parity for a second time just after the break before Henry’s breath-taking solo goal handed them a lead one minute later. The Frenchman gathered possession in the centre of the park, shrugged off pressure from Dietmar Hamann and danced around Jamie Carragher before sliding the ball into the corner. And with the clock ticking down, Henry capped an impressive display by scoring a fortuitous third. 4/6 Liverpool 3 Arsenal 6 – January 9 2007 (League Cup) Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez took an unexpected approach to this Carling Cup quarter-final when he opted to name a below strength starting XI. Just four days earlier, Arsenal had put paid to the Reds FA Cup hopes with a 3-1 victory at Anfield and they would return for this midweek encounter to emphatically terminate Liverpool’s domestic cup dreams altogether. The Gunners ran riot, becoming the first visiting team since Sunderland in April 1930 to score six times at Liverpool. Jeremie Aliadiere and Julio Baptista (pictured) scored either side of Robbie Fowler’s 33rd-minute effort before Alex Song inadvertently notched the Gunners’ third when a corner ricocheted off the Cameroonian’s shoulder and over the goal-line. Baptista then set about putting the game beyond Benitez’s side when – despite a second-half penalty miss - he completed his hat-trick, combining with Aliadiere for the visitors’ fourth and fifth goals. Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia spared some embarrassment with mere consolations, but Baptista rounded off a predatory four-goal haul when he again converted Aliadiere’s industrious assistance at the death. 5/6 Liverpool 4 Arsenal 2 (5-3) - April 8 2008 (Champions League) Liverpool advanced to play Chelsea in the last four of the Champions League for the third time in four seasons after victory over Arsenal saw them through. Having drawn 1-1 a week earlier at Emirates Stadium, the sides met on Merseyside for the second leg of the quarter-final. Abou Diaby handed Arsenal the early initiative but his effort was cancelled out by an unmarked Sami Hyypia whose well-placed header levelled matters on the half-hour. Fernando Torres looked to have settled the contest when he latched on to Peter Crouch’s deft header to lash home the hosts’ second before Emmanuel Adebayor – who was guilty of squandering a gilt-edged chance moments earlier – proved he had other ideas, sliding in an equaliser after a gut-busting run from Theo Walcott. Adebayor’s goal would have seen the Gunners through on goal difference, but Steven Gerrard remained remarkably cool to convert a late, contentious penalty at the Kop end to wrestle back control and – as the visitors chased the game – Ryan Babel made it safe. 6/6 Liverpool 4 Arsenal 4 – April 21 2009 Despite returning to the league summit after grabbing a hard-fought point against Arsenal at Anfield, Liverpool’s title ambitions were dealt a severe blow by Andrey Arshavin's remarkable four-goal showing in April 2009. The Anfield club ended the night ahead of defending champions Manchester United on goal difference, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges boasted the luxury of two games in hand. Arshavin- who had scored just twice since arriving at Emirates Stadium in the January window – finally announced his arrival. The Russian crashed a goal in off the upright to give the Gunners a slender half-time lead, but Fernando Torres rose highest to level the score after the break before Yossi Benayoun bundled home the Reds’ second. Benayoun was then guilty of dawdling in possession and moments later Fabio Aurelio hashed his clearance as Arshavin pounced twice in quick succession to complete a stunning treble. Torres restored parity once more with 20 minutes to go but the sides would equally share eight goals in a pulsating affair as Arshavin and Benayoun each scored in injury time. 1/6 Liverpool 0 Arsenal 2 –May 26 1989 Arsenal entered this First Division title decider on the final day of the 1988/89 season knowing anything less than victory by a two-goal margin would see their hosts Liverpool win the league at their expense. Having lifted the FA Cup the previous week, the Anfield club were clear favourites to win the double and George Graham’s side – who had been runaway leaders earlier in the campaign - were given little hope in their bid to end an 18-year wait for the league crown. The Reds were on a 24-game unbeaten run but conceded the initiative early in the second half when Alan Smith stole a march on the home defence and sent a deft header past Bruce Grobbelaar. And with the score tentatively poised heading into injury time, commentator Brian Moore famously declared “it’s up for grabs now,” as Michael Thomas bore down on Grobbelaar. Thomas flicked the ball home to send the 4,000 travelling Arsenal fans into delirium and conclude what remains the most tantalising climax to a top tier title race. 2/6 Liverpool 3 Arsenal 0 – August 28 1994 Robbie Fowler ensured this match would go into the history books when he bagged the fastest hat-trick in Premier league history. In a remarkable opening to the first half, John Jensen and Ian Wright went close for the visitors, who looked assured in possession and dictated the pace of the game, before Fowler upset the flow and hit the first of his quick-fire treble. Martin Keown’s clumsy trip on the right wing sparked the onslaught, as the resultant free-kick fell kindly in the box to Fowler who characteristically pounced to give the Reds a 26th-minute lead. Three minutes later Steve McManaman surged through the Arsenal midfield and slipped the ball to Fowler who expertly placed the ball past England number one David Seaman and Barnes provided his third moments later to round-off a chaotic 4 minutes and 33 seconds. The Gunners were left languishing in 14th after mustering just one win from their opening three games and they went on to finish 12th, which remains their lowest finish in the Premier League era. 3/6 Arsenal 4 Liverpool 2 - April 9 2004 Thierry Henry bagged a hat-trick to send Arsenal – who were closing in on an invincible season - seven points clear at the top of the Premier league table, but not before Liverpool had twice taken the lead. Henry oozed coolness to cancel out Sami Hyypia’s early header before Steven Gerrard’s incisive pass found Michael Owen to give the Reds a half-time lead. And after discouraging Champions League and FA Cup exits, many questioned whether Arsenal’s undefeated campaign was now on the line. But in what Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier later labelled a ‘stunning’ second-half showing from the Gunners, Robert Pires restored parity for a second time just after the break before Henry’s breath-taking solo goal handed them a lead one minute later. The Frenchman gathered possession in the centre of the park, shrugged off pressure from Dietmar Hamann and danced around Jamie Carragher before sliding the ball into the corner. And with the clock ticking down, Henry capped an impressive display by scoring a fortuitous third. 4/6 Liverpool 3 Arsenal 6 – January 9 2007 (League Cup) Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez took an unexpected approach to this Carling Cup quarter-final when he opted to name a below strength starting XI. Just four days earlier, Arsenal had put paid to the Reds FA Cup hopes with a 3-1 victory at Anfield and they would return for this midweek encounter to emphatically terminate Liverpool’s domestic cup dreams altogether. The Gunners ran riot, becoming the first visiting team since Sunderland in April 1930 to score six times at Liverpool. Jeremie Aliadiere and Julio Baptista (pictured) scored either side of Robbie Fowler’s 33rd-minute effort before Alex Song inadvertently notched the Gunners’ third when a corner ricocheted off the Cameroonian’s shoulder and over the goal-line. Baptista then set about putting the game beyond Benitez’s side when – despite a second-half penalty miss - he completed his hat-trick, combining with Aliadiere for the visitors’ fourth and fifth goals. Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia spared some embarrassment with mere consolations, but Baptista rounded off a predatory four-goal haul when he again converted Aliadiere’s industrious assistance at the death. 5/6 Liverpool 4 Arsenal 2 (5-3) - April 8 2008 (Champions League) Liverpool advanced to play Chelsea in the last four of the Champions League for the third time in four seasons after victory over Arsenal saw them through. Having drawn 1-1 a week earlier at Emirates Stadium, the sides met on Merseyside for the second leg of the quarter-final. Abou Diaby handed Arsenal the early initiative but his effort was cancelled out by an unmarked Sami Hyypia whose well-placed header levelled matters on the half-hour. Fernando Torres looked to have settled the contest when he latched on to Peter Crouch’s deft header to lash home the hosts’ second before Emmanuel Adebayor – who was guilty of squandering a gilt-edged chance moments earlier – proved he had other ideas, sliding in an equaliser after a gut-busting run from Theo Walcott. Adebayor’s goal would have seen the Gunners through on goal difference, but Steven Gerrard remained remarkably cool to convert a late, contentious penalty at the Kop end to wrestle back control and – as the visitors chased the game – Ryan Babel made it safe. 6/6 Liverpool 4 Arsenal 4 – April 21 2009 Despite returning to the league summit after grabbing a hard-fought point against Arsenal at Anfield, Liverpool’s title ambitions were dealt a severe blow by Andrey Arshavin's remarkable four-goal showing in April 2009. The Anfield club ended the night ahead of defending champions Manchester United on goal difference, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges boasted the luxury of two games in hand. Arshavin- who had scored just twice since arriving at Emirates Stadium in the January window – finally announced his arrival. The Russian crashed a goal in off the upright to give the Gunners a slender half-time lead, but Fernando Torres rose highest to level the score after the break before Yossi Benayoun bundled home the Reds’ second. Benayoun was then guilty of dawdling in possession and moments later Fabio Aurelio hashed his clearance as Arshavin pounced twice in quick succession to complete a stunning treble. Torres restored parity once more with 20 minutes to go but the sides would equally share eight goals in a pulsating affair as Arshavin and Benayoun each scored in injury time.

Ray Parlour was speaking ahead of a Barclays Buses trip for Arsenal fans this Saturday - a free-travel initiative from Barclays to say 'thank you' to groups of Barclays Premier League away fans that travel the length and breadth of the country supporting their team. Join the conversation on social media using #YouAreFootball