Mesut Ozil made every Arsenal fan’s night yesterday after his late winner ensured the Gunners remained top of their group after four games and consequentially ensured qualification for the next round of matches in the tournament.
The German wizard is in a good vein of scoring form and yesterday he showed the composure only players of that level are capable of with three of the most sublime touches you will see all season.
The Wizard of Oz as he is fondly called has a wand of a left foot that is capable of producing the most pinpoint of passes on a football pitch. But yesterday he showed he is even able to keep his head in a tense situation.
Arsenal headed to Bulgaria on a night they were expected to cruise into the round of 16 after having handed a 6-0 thrashing at the Emirates to the very same team a fortnight ago. But fears of another fruitless November resurfaced as Arsenal conceded two goals in the first 15 minutes.
The Gunners were being ripped apart on the counter and were lucky to just be 2 goals behind. Granit Xhaka pulled one back a few minutes after Ludogorets’ second goal. Olivier Giroud levelled it up right before half time to the relief of Arsene Wenger.
But the home side were very stubborn in the second half as they held a compact shape not allowing Sanchez and Ozil to work the spaces. The Bulgarians had the better of the chances to make it 3-2 as Ospina was called into action twice.
It looked like the game would end in stalemate as the final whistle drew. But in the 89th minute on the counter, Elneny played a long ball over the defensive line breaking the offside trap finding Ozil.
The German with his first touch controlled the ball, looped it over the onrushing goalkeeper with a delicate second, sold two dummies leaving defenders on the floor and then slotted the ball into the empty net as he ran towards the away supporters and showcased his trademark celebration.
Here is the video of that amazing goal:
Now if only Ozil can produce the same performance on Sunday in the North London Derby it would cap a wonderful week for the Gunners. Not a bad start to what is historically their worst month.
