Ozil provides Bavarian boost for Gunners

Arsenal 4 Everton 1

Until Saturday’s 4-1 FA Cup victory over Everton, there had been an underlying fear at the Emirates that Arsenal’s new talisman — energy levels sapped to almost zero by his first frenetic season in the Premier League (and nerves frayed even further by a string of disappointing performances) — would need to be mothballed for the remainder of the campaign.

Remember, there were calls for him to be rested following a woeful display in a heavy defeat at Anfield — and he was, in fact, given an enforced break after his lethargic penalty against Bayern was easily saved by Manuel Neuer in the Champions League, meaning Arsenal face the European champions in Germany tomorrow already 2-0 down.

But just when it seemed the burden of turning Arsenal from perennial under-achievers to serious contenders was becoming too much, Ozil dug deep.

He scored the opening goal of a crucial FA Cup victory over Everton with a cool first time finish — set up by Santi Cazorla — and then completed an encouraging afternoon with a wonderful assist for Olivier Giroud, who came off the bench to score twice and revive hopes that Arsenal could finally end their nine-year trophy drought.

The result means Arsenal are at the very least guaranteed a trip to Wembley — where they have never won since the famous stadium was rebuilt — in the FA Cup semi-finals; and it sends them to Munich in far more confident spirits than anyone who witnessed the 1-0 defeat at Stoke last weekend could ever have imagined.

Much of that is down to Ozil whose skilful display was the difference in a match that was closely fought until Mikel Arteta, with a twice-taken penalty, dented Everton’s spirits to put the home side 2-1 ahead, Romelu Lukaku having equalised Ozil’s early effort.

Now the German has a chance to take another step in his recovery, by performing in Munich and putting his penalty misery behind him.

Wenger said: “It affected him mentally too much, the penalty he missed against Bayern. It was not only physical, it was mental. He had the feeling he let the team down at a very important moment of the game. That affected his performance very much.

“Psychologically sometimes the wound is like a physical one. You can talk and talk and talk, but it takes time. You just have to leave it to time. I think he is over it. He has a good opportunity to show on Tuesday night how good he is.”

Ozil’s revival will have come as a relief to Arsenal fans, especially as he was booed playing for his country against Chile in midweek, sparking fears the midfielder could see his confidence levels spiral ever lower.

“He is hugely respected in Germany but we live in a society where the period of time is very short between the boos to the applause. We have to live with that,” said Wenger. “But the goal he scored against Everton was important to him, and to the team as well. I like the way he finished, calm in a convincing way. He made great runs as well. He was absolutely outstanding from the first to the last minute.”

Wenger’s praise did come with a caveat, however, as he urged the German to acclimatise quickly to the physical nature of the Premier League: “It is certainly something he has to adapt to. First you have to convince yourself mentally that you have to do it. Then to adapt physically. Today he looked to me to have a really complete performance on both sides, defensive and offensive.

“Now I would just like him to find the right balance between being a provider and finisher. At the moment the balance is a bit detrimental to the finishing. His strong side is providing. But he is pacy, much quicker than people think he is, and with that technical quality and that pace, if he gets into the right areas and with the service he has, he can score goals. He wants to score more goals, I am convinced of that.”

It is unlikely anyone else in Arsenal’s starting line-up tomorrow could have greater incentive to find top form against Bayern; so could this be one of those stories that only football can write?

It’s a long shot. But at least Ozil returns to his home country in far more positive frame than when he left it last week.

ARSENAL: Fabianski 6; Sagna 8, Mertesacker 7, Vermaelen 6, Gibbs 6 (Jenkinson, 87); Arteta 8, Flamini 6; Oxlade-Chamberlain 9 (Rosicky, 78; 6), Ozil 8, Cazorla 7; Sanogo 6 (Giroud, 62; 8).

EVERTON: Robles 5; Coleman 6, Stones 6, Distin 7, Baines 6; McCarthy 6, Barry 7; Mirallas 7 (McGeady, 76), Barkley 7 (Delofeu, 83), Pienaar 5 (Osman, 76); Lukaku 7.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.