MESEUT OZIL’S SUPERB individual performance saw Arsenal come from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 in the Premier League tonight.
Leicester led in the first half thanks to a Hector Bellerin own goal but the defender set up Ozil for Arsenal’s excellent equaliser shortly before half-time at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.
And Ozil drove through the gears after the interval, his sublime play creating two goals for substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the space of just three minutes.
Unai Emery’s side move up to fourth in the Premier League after recording a 10th straight win in all competitions for the first time since 2007, with Leicester simply unable to cope with Ozil at the peak of his powers.
Arsenal made a nervy start and the hosts should have conceded a penalty when Rob Holding handed the ball in the box.
Bernd Leno had to make a smart stop low to his left to save Harry Maguire’s header from a James Maddison free-kick, but the goalkeeper was beaten in the 31st minute.
Ben Chilwell got round the back of Bellerin and the new England international’s low cross was deflected in off the Arsenal full-back, leaving Leno wrongfooted.
Bellerin made amends before the break, though, collecting a pass from Ozil and delivering a low cross that the Arsenal captain placed past Kasper Schmeichel with a sublime first-time shot.
Leicester went close to retaking the lead but Wilfred Ndidi’s header rattled the woodwork and substitute Aubameyang then scored within two minutes of his introduction.
Ozil was at the heart of it, splitting the Leicester defence with a pass for Bellerin to square a low cross that Aubameyang could not miss, with the Gabon international immediately celebrating his second.
Again it was Ozil conducting Arsenal’s orchestra, flicking the ball past Schmeichel for Aubameyang to complete a sensational move that saw the former Germany international sell the Leicester defence an outrageous dummy before drifting on to Alexandre Lacazette’s pass.
Such was Arsenal’s comfort in the closing stages, Ozil could be withdrawn by Emery for a fully deserved standing ovation to recognise his match-winning performance.
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Almost disappointing to lose after coming so close, even though it looked like India would walk it after their innings, but it was great to see us competitive and not completely relying on Stirling
What a magic 40 overs of cricket, brilliant exhibition from both teams, anyone who got down to Malahide was treated. Delighted with that performance, putting up over 220 is a brilliant t20 score in its own right, only it had to be when we were chasing down India’s 4th highest t20 score ever in an inning they had a record breaking 176 run partnership…
You have to feel if Tector stayed in, it would’ve been Irelands to lose with 2 overs or so to go. Was a slow ball, full toss that had to go for 6 toward the end of the 19th…think that was the game there. But Adair can hit them and he defo made it interesting. Delighted Balbo seems to be finding his groove again. Hopefully we can pick off a win or two vs the Black Caps now
@Sam Murray: Bowlers were on the money as per, we really have something decent on the pace/seam front, just need to keep experimenting with the spin attack. As good as our guys were, guys like Hooda & Sanju are just a class above with all that IPL experience so they were always gonna switch it on when they needed.
Annoying too that Malik probably waited till the final over of the entire series to start bowling his best, could’ve done with a few howlers.
@Sam Murray: have to disagree with you on the bowlers, I’m afraid. Too many short, leg-side deliveries that were easy meat for the Indian batters. Against the best in the world (as India are at the moment), the Irish pace bowlers aren’t quick enough to pitch it short, none of which is intended to take away from a fine team performance – you don’t get many games closer than yesterday’s!
My first ever cricket match. Even if it was like a home game for India the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant and even more so after they posted 225 for 7. (fair play to the Irish bowlers for sticking to their process) I was optimistic for the chase… But I don’t think anyone in the ground for one second thought we would take it to needing a 6 to win with the very last ball. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Best Tuesday of my life so far and looking forward to NZ on Sunday fortnight even if the crowd might not be as big or the result the same :))
@John Kelly: glad you enjoyed it, hope it’s the first of many!
@John Kelly: haha…..fair play to you John. Didn’t take you for a cricket fan. A game I don’t understand, but will have to try and take in a game some time myself just to try and figure it out!