(AFP) - Arsene Wenger has revealed Mesut Oezil rarely trains between matches as he looks to keep the German playmaker in peak condition for Arsenal's Premier League title charge.

Oezil has been the key figure in Arsenal's rise to the top of the table and has already provided a league-leading 16 assists this season.

While the likes of Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez are out injured, Oezil has avoided any problems and become a pivotal part of an Arsenal side ahead of Saturday's visit from Newcastle.

And Gunners boss Wenger, who was criticised for over-playing Sanchez before he pulled up with a hamstring injury against Norwich last month, is giving Oezil time to rest to avoid burnout.

"Mesut, I gave him a one-week holiday during the international break," Wenger told reporters on Friday.

"At the moment he doesn't practise a lot, we rest him a lot between the games.

"He is a guy who once the basic fitness is there between the games, he wants to play.

"There are types of players, sometimes the most technical players, it looks like it demands less energy for them to play - it is just natural for them."