Mesut Ozil evokes memories of Denis Bergkamp as Arsenal hit top spot
With Arsenal fans still shaking from a 4-0 defeat at Southampton on St Stephen’s Day — a result that seemed to burst their team’s title bubble — it was always going to be hugely important to bounce back quickly.
The fact that the Gunners did so, with a 2-0 victory, was thanks to the inspiration of Ozil who scored one, made nine chances and provided one assist — and to the solidity of Cech who set a new Premier League clean sheets record with the 170th shut-out of his career.
Inevitably it was Ozil — with a remarkable five goals and 16 assists already this season — who dominated the post-match press conference as Wenger admitted comparisons with Arsenal legend Denis Bergkamp are now inevitable.
“Mesut was the focal point of our team. He gives reassurance with his technical security and his fluidity. Everything went through him,” he said.
“I don’t know if it was his best performance of the season — I have seen a few good games from him this year. What is important is that he convinces everyone he’s not only a fantasy player, he also works for the team. He’s added scoring goals to his assists as well. He’s a complete player.
“I would say Bergkamp was more of a goalscorer than him. But now he becomes a goalscorer too. He’s very special. I don’t like to compare players but he’s an exceptional player. And give me credit — I always defended that point of view even when others were sceptical.”
Whatever the merits of Ozil’s performance, this was a big three points for Arsenal at a time when the title race remains wide open. With former leaders Leicester due to play fourth-place Manchester City today the pressure is now very much back on their opponents — and any criticism that Wenger’s side lack the consistency or bottle for a championship challenge has been tempered, if not entirely countered, by their response to Saturday’s debacle.
Given Arsenal’s propensity in the past to freeze in the title headlights it was little surprise that the atmosphere at the Emirates was muted at the start of a match that Wenger’s side simply could not afford to lose.
But after a bright start from Bournemouth — who went into the game unbeaten in six matches — Gabriel’s header from an Ozil corner after 27 minutes settled the nerves.
Gabriel was one of four players brought into the side by Wenger following that miserable evening on St Stephen’s’ Day, with Alex Oxlalde-Chamberlain, Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibbs also selected — and Laurent Koscielny left on the bench.
In fairness, Gabriel justified his selection with a powerful performance which also included another header — also from an Ozil corner — which hit the post and thundered back into Per Mertesacker’s face, somehow dropping wide of the goal in the end.
There were some nervy moments at the start of the second half, when Bournemouth rallied well, and you would hardly say this was a convincing performance, despite Ozil’s majesty; but the result was put beyond doubt when the German international instigated and finished a wonderful counter-attack.
The final one-two with Giroud was exquisite, as was the way Ozil accepted the Frenchman’s back-heel and smoothly slid the ball home for his fifth goal of an outstanding season.
After the disappointment at Southampton it was also important that Arsenal’s defence performed better — and largely they did with Cech setting a new clean-sheet record to also win praise from his manager.
“I think he can be very proud of that. It’s a remarkable achievement. People don’t realise how much commitment, hard work and consistency is behind that. Consistency for me is the most important achievement for somebody.”
Cech, and Ozil too, can certainly claim that accolade but Arsenal as a team are not quite there. Their remarkable ability to bounce back from adversity was displayed once again with this result but there remains a frustration at their inability to shake off those inexplicable defeats which hit just when you don’t expect it.
“You cannot go from the start of the season to the end without a disappointment,” insisted Wenger. “The Southampton result was a big one. But after that it depends on how you respond. That’s why for me it wasn’t going top of the table that mattered — it was more winning the game that was important. It’s more the consistency of our results and the feeling that we grow stronger as a team that matters.”
The real test of that statement will come in the coming months as Arsenal build their title challenge. They now face Newcastle at home on Saturday before fixtures against Liverpool, Stoke and Chelsea get 2016 off to a more difficult start. But with Ozil in this kind of form, they must still have a real chance.
Cech 7, Gibbs 6 (Monreal 83), Mertesacker 6, Gabriel 8, Bellerin 7, Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 (Iwobi 90), Ramsey 7, Chambers 6, Ozil 8, Walcott 6, Giroud 6 (Campbell 80)
Boruc 8, Francis 6, Cook 6, Surman 6, Daniels 6, Pugh 6 (Stanislas 46), Gosling 6 (O’Kane), Smith 7, Arter 6, Ritchie 7, King 6 (Murray 80)
Roger East
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