OPINION
Mesut Ozil has had a tough season, with a rumoured fallout with manager Unai Emery and limited game-time. He’s only started 15 Premier League games this campaign, and only three since Boxing Day ahead of Monday night’s game, but he played a starring role in the 2-0 win against Newcastle and fans took to Twitter to celebrate.
Unai Emery said that Ozil was ‘playing like we want’ as he helped his side to their 10th consecutive home victory and that moves them two points ahead of Tottenham into third place in the league – and favourites to end with a Champions League spot. It really should be even better too, as only a missed penalty led to them dropping two points against Tottenham.
There’s no doubting that when Ozil is playing at the top of his game, he’s one of the best in the Premier League. But, on a staggering £300k-a-week, he needs to be producing this form week-in, week-out and at away grounds as well as at the Emirates. That was the point made by Piers Morgan, who said “When he’s up for it, he’s such a good player” before imploring him to show this commitment every game. After last night’s display he should get the chance to prove himself at Goodison on Sunday, when Arsenal take on Everton, before the double header with Napoli in the Europa League.
After an up and down season, Arsenal have a very real chance of ending on a massive high. Finishing third to Liverpool and Man City would be an achievement, and winning the Europa League has to be a realistic aim now. From looking like they were going to miss out on the Champions League to qualifying for it twice? That would be nothing short of incredible.
Here are the best reactions to Ozil from Arsenal fans, including a cautiously optimistic Piers Morgan:
Agree with @9smudge – Ozil was MoM tonight. When he's up for it, he's such a good player. Come on @MesutOzil1088 – show this commitment EVERY game. #afc pic.twitter.com/0o1s8CmJbj
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/1EssexGooner/status/1112952714542100481
Arsenal 2 – 0 Newcastle
Great display of football, Lacazette had a stormer his link up play and just him wanting Aubameyang to get a goal was great to watch! Ozil is a genius ??#ARSNEW #PremierLeague #AFC #COYG— Mark (@AFCGunner1886) April 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/AFCPW/status/1112819244780187649
That’s why we should play @MesutOzil1088 & @aaronramsey together for the rest of the season.
If you start the game with your best players, you’ll end up with the best result.
Good to see you learned from last experience @UnaiEmery_?
Keep focus??#Arsenal #Gooner #AFC
— Yudhistira Gallanto Arbi (@20gallantoarbi) April 2, 2019
@MesutOzil1088 clearly MOTM today. Contributed to an all round team display. If we can carry this form into our remaining away matches, and we still have 5 away games left in the league and only 2 at home, then we should make the top 4. #AFC #COYG
— Peter Panayi (@PanayiPeter) April 1, 2019
Man of the match has got to be the main man Ozil again #AFC #ARSNEW
— the Arsenal-Ultra (@Slick_726) April 1, 2019
Fantastic result.
Up into 3rd.
League table looking good.
Another @MesutOzil1088 masterclass.
Another clean sheet.
Another dreadful refereeing performance.
And we’ve still got the @EuropaLeague in the bank.
Bring it on @Arsenal !!!!#YaGunnersYa #afc #WeAreTheArsenal— Mick Coppock (@MickCoppock) April 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Tommy_Higgins/status/1112823450110967808