Mesut Özil is due imminently for yet another round of contract negotiations but he will struggle to make a more eloquent case than his last two on-field contributions. After an assist and wider performance of intensity and commitment in the 2-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur, he was at his absolute creative best here in a 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town that stretches Arsenal’s winning home Premier League streak to 12.
One more against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Saturday and Arsenal can equal a record set back in that halcyon ‘Invincible’ era of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
Özil’s goal and two assists during a four-minute second-half blur of passing were certainly reminiscent of those rather happier days, even if victory here did ultimately come at a cost. A groin injury forced striker Alexandre Lacazette off at half-time and he will now miss Saturday’s match, although Olivier Giroud did seize a rare league opportunity with two goals.
It was still Özil, though, who made the biggest difference and, with his playmaker’s name ringing out around The Emirates, manager Arsène Wenger acknowledged that he was now delivering the one basic ingredient that any fan most expects.
“Özil is fit and has added something people wanted to see against Spurs and tonight - that he can fight and win the ball back,” said Wenger. “He is a great football player and he shows he can fight. The majority of people here love him - he never hides.”
Both managers agreed that Özil’s sudden second-half cameo had rather distorted the scoreline, with Arsenal actually absorbing a series of Huddersfield chances at 1-0 and only taking the game beyond their visitors between the 67th and 72nd minute.
“We wanted to defend Özil as a group and we did this well for nearly 70 minutes,” said Huddersfield manager David Wagner. “Then he showed all his qualities in five minutes and we gave him too much time on the ball.” Wagner also outlined his certainty that Huddersfield will survive in the Premier League and, while it might seem strange given the result, there was plenty in this match to support that confidence.
Huddersfield had endured the worst possible start in falling behind after just three minutes when Lacazette finished calmly after being released by Aaron Ramsey but their new 5-4-1 formation did then frustrate Arsenal. Yes, only an acrobatic goal-line clearance by Martin Cranie prevented Lacazette scoring a second, but they did also have two good chances to equalise before half-time.
Shkodran Mustafi had first made a clumsy attempt to stop Steve Mounié that provoked a plausible penalty appeal. Then, with Arsenal becoming sloppy in possession, Mounié pounced on a mistake by Granit Xhaka but his hesitation before shooting allowed Laurent Koscielny to make a sliding block.
Huddersfield maintained their momentum at the start of the second half and created further opportunities to draw level. Colin Quaner made a very direct sprint into Arsenal’s penalty area but his low shot was just parried clear by Cech’s outstretched boot. Mounie then also had another chance that Cech could only palm onto the crossbar.
Huddersfield’s increasing willingness to take the game to Arsenal, however, created an inevitable vulnerability on the counter-attack that was ruthlessly punished. Lacazette had been replaced at half-time by Giroud and, after having one shot blocked and another cannon against the post, the France striker found his range following a wonderful passing move.
Sead Kolasinac had released Özil who then exchanged a one-two with Alexis Sánchez before crossing for Giroud to convert a simple finish. Any slight tension instantly disappeared and Arsenal scored twice more in the next three minutes.
Özil surged down the opposite flank and his cross was emphatically met by Sánchez’s first-time finish. Ramsey, who had been hugely influential with his deep passing from midfield, then released Özil who deftly lifted his finish over goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.
Both managers knew the match was effectively finished at that moment and, with Wenger’s mind clearly turning to the visit of Mourinho on Saturday, both Sanchez and Ramsey were withdrawn.
That still did not mean much let-up for Huddersfield and Giroud added further gloss to the scoreline after another powerful run by Kolasinac from left wing-back.
Arsene Wenger has just confirmed that Lacazette has a small groin injury and will miss Saturday's game against Manchester United.
The star of the show tonight has to be Ozil, who recorded two assists and a goal and caused havoc throughout. When he can actually get involved in games and discovers space behind the midfield and in front of the defence, he is one of few players capable of creating chances out of nothing and Huddersfield didn't know what to do with him.
Kolasinac was also excellent. In fact, every Arsenal player was on form this evening.
Huddersfield Town vs Arsenal Live Stream Soccer Huddersfield Town vs Arsenal Live Stream Online
One more against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Saturday and Arsenal can equal a record set back in that halcyon ‘Invincible’ era of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
Özil’s goal and two assists during a four-minute second-half blur of passing were certainly reminiscent of those rather happier days, even if victory here did ultimately come at a cost. A groin injury forced striker Alexandre Lacazette off at half-time and he will now miss Saturday’s match, although Olivier Giroud did seize a rare league opportunity with two goals.
It was still Özil, though, who made the biggest difference and, with his playmaker’s name ringing out around The Emirates, manager Arsène Wenger acknowledged that he was now delivering the one basic ingredient that any fan most expects.
“Özil is fit and has added something people wanted to see against Spurs and tonight - that he can fight and win the ball back,” said Wenger. “He is a great football player and he shows he can fight. The majority of people here love him - he never hides.”
Both managers agreed that Özil’s sudden second-half cameo had rather distorted the scoreline, with Arsenal actually absorbing a series of Huddersfield chances at 1-0 and only taking the game beyond their visitors between the 67th and 72nd minute.
“We wanted to defend Özil as a group and we did this well for nearly 70 minutes,” said Huddersfield manager David Wagner. “Then he showed all his qualities in five minutes and we gave him too much time on the ball.” Wagner also outlined his certainty that Huddersfield will survive in the Premier League and, while it might seem strange given the result, there was plenty in this match to support that confidence.
Huddersfield had endured the worst possible start in falling behind after just three minutes when Lacazette finished calmly after being released by Aaron Ramsey but their new 5-4-1 formation did then frustrate Arsenal. Yes, only an acrobatic goal-line clearance by Martin Cranie prevented Lacazette scoring a second, but they did also have two good chances to equalise before half-time.
Shkodran Mustafi had first made a clumsy attempt to stop Steve Mounié that provoked a plausible penalty appeal. Then, with Arsenal becoming sloppy in possession, Mounié pounced on a mistake by Granit Xhaka but his hesitation before shooting allowed Laurent Koscielny to make a sliding block.
Huddersfield maintained their momentum at the start of the second half and created further opportunities to draw level. Colin Quaner made a very direct sprint into Arsenal’s penalty area but his low shot was just parried clear by Cech’s outstretched boot. Mounie then also had another chance that Cech could only palm onto the crossbar.
Huddersfield’s increasing willingness to take the game to Arsenal, however, created an inevitable vulnerability on the counter-attack that was ruthlessly punished. Lacazette had been replaced at half-time by Giroud and, after having one shot blocked and another cannon against the post, the France striker found his range following a wonderful passing move.
Sead Kolasinac had released Özil who then exchanged a one-two with Alexis Sánchez before crossing for Giroud to convert a simple finish. Any slight tension instantly disappeared and Arsenal scored twice more in the next three minutes.
Özil surged down the opposite flank and his cross was emphatically met by Sánchez’s first-time finish. Ramsey, who had been hugely influential with his deep passing from midfield, then released Özil who deftly lifted his finish over goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.
Both managers knew the match was effectively finished at that moment and, with Wenger’s mind clearly turning to the visit of Mourinho on Saturday, both Sanchez and Ramsey were withdrawn.
That still did not mean much let-up for Huddersfield and Giroud added further gloss to the scoreline after another powerful run by Kolasinac from left wing-back.
Arsene Wenger has just confirmed that Lacazette has a small groin injury and will miss Saturday's game against Manchester United.
The star of the show tonight has to be Ozil, who recorded two assists and a goal and caused havoc throughout. When he can actually get involved in games and discovers space behind the midfield and in front of the defence, he is one of few players capable of creating chances out of nothing and Huddersfield didn't know what to do with him.
Kolasinac was also excellent. In fact, every Arsenal player was on form this evening.
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