OPINION
Arsenal did what they had to do at the Emirates on Thursday night, beating Napoli by two goals and not conceding that vital away goal.
It means that if they score in Italy next week, and they’ve got the attackers to do that, Napoli will need to score four. Knowing Arsenal away this season, that’s not out of the realm of possibility, but it puts Arsenal in pole position in what looked a very tough tie on paper.
With Granit Xhaka out, Unai Emery played Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil, and both players were superb, with Ramsey scoring the first goal.
Ozil has been heavily criticised this season and dropped on numerous occasions by Emery but he was unplayable at times last night, and fans took to Twitter to praise him.
This is what they want to see week-in, week-out from their mercurial attacker. He wasn’t scared to take the ball on last night and tried some things that were outrageous. They might not all have come off but it’s a great sign for Arsenal fans and you’d have been hard-tasked to find a critic of the German midfielder.
The only criticism of Arsenal is that they could have put the tie to bed last night.
Here are the best reactions to Ozil’s display from Arsenal fans:
Kolasinac, Torreira, Ramsey, Koscielny and Ozil were all outstanding. Could’ve scored more but 1 away goal should do it.
Unai Emery is a bloody good manager. #AFC
— Ant (@Ant_Walter3) April 11, 2019
@Arsenal ???????? half of football, when u give ozil a decent brush (team mates on it) he will paint u a perfect picture #AFC
— SleekzAFC (@sleeka_) April 11, 2019
“Ozil Ran The Show!” @turkishldn praises Mesut Ozil on his performance today and believes he RAN the show! How good was he?#Ozil #Arsenal #Napoli #AFTV #AFC
Full Video – https://t.co/lc97jkd7MT pic.twitter.com/9GvsNFk72b
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) April 12, 2019
Mesut ozil masterclass today??
— Mikel ?? (@TheArtetaEra) April 11, 2019
I'll tell my kids about Mesut Ozil, what a baller!! True definition of football?
— KiJesseology (@NandiraJessy) April 11, 2019
That’s what you can do with a decent midfield behind you ?
— Fanzine Football (@Fanzine_com) April 11, 2019
Unreal performance habibi. Keep doing what youre doing. #TeamMesut
— TGW™ ?? (@TheGunnersWay) April 11, 2019
Fantastic display tonight, you're still our man anytime any day. ????? pic.twitter.com/iMoZRdXmwm
— Collins O ? (@OkoroCollins11) April 11, 2019
You played amazingly well …some beautiful football tonight…..?
— Susan rees (@promotions_t) April 11, 2019