Arsenal returned to the Premier League summit tonight with a narrow 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Mesut Ozil set up the first goal for the Gunners, but his performance was under intense scrutiny today after a series of hit-and-miss displays of late.
The German slid a lovely pass through for Jack Wilshere to open the scoring after 34 minutes, with the England international finishing well with his left foot.
Arsenal doubled their lead only a minute later when Olivier Giroud swept home after controlling a Jack Wilshere through ball.
Villa rarely threatened until Christian Benteke met a terrific Matthew Lowton cross with a diving header to put his side back in contention.
But it never looked like being the catalyst for a famous comeback, as Arsenal saw the game out with relative ease, and earned yet another three points, as they continue their march towards a first Premier League title for a decade.
Mesut Ozil was at the centre of many Twitter debates throughout the match, with Arsenal fans and despisers alike airing their views on the £42m summer signing, with the general consensus being that once more he failed to reach the lofty heights expected of him.
Ozil does not look very Ozil-ish today
— Brian Anderson (@blyan) January 13, 2014
well that was harder than it needed to be.. Ozil was poor:(.. Wilshere was top draw. 3 points #AFC — Ben Turner-Kennedy (@benkennedy8951) January 13, 2014
Another 3 points… Jack quality in the middle of the park.. Ozil pony again!! — ben williamson (@rothwellgooner) January 13, 2014
I have no idea with what is going on with Ozil. He goes missing for long periods of time then does one of his 360 turns and then nothing…
— Stephen Birrell (@StephenBirrell) January 13, 2014
to think ozil isn’t at his best yet. whew, going to be a very interesting finish to the season
— Ronaldo Es De Oro (@Felicity_M1) January 13, 2014
Just a reminder that Ozil came almost 80 places higher than Hazard on that Guardian 100 players list, as voted for by their genius writers.
— Bungatron (@chinatroll) January 13, 2014
What do you think? Does Ozil deserve the criticism? Let me know in the comments below…
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