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Such was Arsenal’s comfort in the closing stages, Ozil could be withdrawn by Emery for a fully deserved standing ovation to recognise his match-winning performance.
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Arsenal look pretty serious this season. Won’t win it but might be in the mix
@The_Muffin_Man: are you Piers Morgan in disguise?
Still plenty of improvement needed but some of the football tonight was worthy of the invincibles
Haven’t seen that headline in a while
When he’s in the mood …….
“be careful what you wish for”
They’ll fall apart when the going gets tough.
@Robert Clifford: maybe one day you’ll have the ability to comment something different on an Arsenal article…
@Acedeuce: not trying to funny. But maybe some season Arsenal won’t fall apart when the going gets tough.
@Lorcán Coyle: new manager, new everything :) all will be well! Once we get rid of puma next year and replace them with nice looking addidas kits we’ll be rolling in trophies.. Because we all know the nicer the Jersey the more trophies you get
@Robert Clifford: the going was tough against Leicester, one nil down and Leicester were on top. Arsenal dug in and started to play really well and at the end they could have scored more than 3. The aim this season will be champions league qualification, it’s a good start.
@O’Cinnéide Pól: Leicester were denied a stone wall penalty which would’ve made things interesting.think arsenal play Liverpool in 2 weeks which will be a barometer for where both sides are
Class outfit
City Utd Chelsea and Arsenal will fight out the top four with Spurs and Liverpool scrapping for the Europa spots with a few others
@David Carino: you must’ve liked this twice yourself did you?
Sometime all you need is just a change. Loved all 3 goals
Sometime all you need is just a change.