I think Arsenal should drop Ozil for the Barcelona games. Play a central midfielder instead of Ozil. Someone who will do a bit more graft. I don't think Arsenal will have enough of the ball to properly utilize Ozil against Barca.
Flamini as holding midfielder with Wilshere and Ramsey as CMs.
Then A.Sanchez and T.Walcott as wide players running from wings to join Giroud or Welbeck.
Drop one of the best, if not the best player in the team? I understand the logic of it, but that's killing whatever chance we have to score. Arsenal would still need him on the counter to pass that long ball. No one else in the team can do that, the other being Santi Cazorla, is not going to be fit until March.
Wilshere is still hurt, don't even know when he's going to come back.
Too bad you don't still have Alex Song; he was terrific as a creative long passer from deep. Whenever he gets healthy and fit again, maybe Arsenal should take a look at bringing him back. He'd cost nowt, but could be an effective box-to-box for you. By the way, old friend Nigel de Jong is available for 2-3 million euros from AC Milan. You could do a lot worse - City have never really recovered our former defensive form since Mancini forced him out, and he's already proven he can excel in England.
Oh, I like that. De Jong would be great for Arsenal. Suitable stop-gap option while Coquelin is out injured and can return to a reserve role once Coquelin is back in shape. Premier League experience. Cheap price tag. Perfect signing.
Nigel's a bit old, so he could play alongside Coquelin for the Barca matches. He's actually a much better long than short or intermediary passer, but as everyone knows, he's a wrecking ball with few discernable ball skills. However, he alone can stiffen the spine of any squad, and he's a very intelligent player.
By the way, I think your suggestion about dropping Özil against Barca is worth considering. As you suggested, I'd rather be solid in the middle and attack with blinding pace down the wings on the counter with Alexis and Walcott. Here's another possibility: play Walcott up top with Özil on a wing at the Emirates, but not at the Camp Nou.