Even at 42 million pounds, Mesut Özil is a steal. Speaking to The Daily Mail earlier this week, former french Gooner Emmanuel Petit called Özil “the best bargain in the window,” and after another dazzling performance, fans and pundits alike may be inclined to agree.
With 2 goals and 4 assists in a mere 5 league appearances, Özil has made the outlay required to bring him to the Emirates seem increasingly paltry. The “Özil-effect,” however, goes far beyond his contributions on the pitch. Özil is not only a truly world class talent, he is also talisman; a symbol of Arsenal’s resurgence and increasingly credible title ambition.
With Liverpool having dropped points in Saturdays early fixture, Arsenal knew a win would send them three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. They began strongly, clean on the ball and dogged without it, with Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini effectively breaking up the Canaries’ early forays.
Arsenal’s early dominance was rewarded with one of the goals of the season – a flowing team move culminated in a series of superb flicks between Olivier Giroud and Wilshere that sent the latter clear behind the defense – he calmly side-footed past a stranded John Ruddy.
Arsenal looked in the mood, and continued to press for the second, with Ruddy saving well from Giroud at the near post. Shortly after, the rhythm of the match was disrupted following a stoppage in play. A clash of heads between Flamini and Alexander Tettey led to the Frenchman’s withdrawal. His replacement, Aaron Ramsey now entered a much different match, with Norwich in the ascendancy. The away side began to exert themselves in the middle of the park, and Wojciech Szczesny was forced into action by a well-struck drive from Leroy Fer.
Norwich’s threat continued after the restart, with the unmarked Russell Martin slicing wide from the penalty spot from Michael Turner’s knockdown. Arsenal looked shaky, and their next goal came well against the run of play.
Ramsey sent Santi Cazorla free on the counter, and the returning Spaniard swung the ball to Giroud wide on the right. Roles were reversed as Özil headed home from the Frenchman’s pinpoint cross.
Despite the shock of the second goal, Norwich continued to search for a route back into the game. They got their lifeline in the 70th minute, when Jonny Howson finished cleanly from the top of the box.
Arsenal would respond quickly, with Ramsey restoring Arsenal’s cushion in the 83rd minute. Arsenal’s first goal was the epitome of team play, but the third was an example of sheer individual brilliance. Picking up the ball on the left side of the penalty box, Ramsey burst through the line and dummied two defenders before calmly slotting beneath Ruddy.
He was on hand again in the 88th to pull back Rosicky’s back post cross for Özil to put the game beyond doubt. The scoreline was harsh on a solid and positive Norwich side, who drop to 18th in the league standings.
It is perhaps too early to assess the Premier League title race, but Arsenal have certainly begun as they would like to go on. Ramsey and Giroud, a duo often maligned last season, have both found excellent form, and a burgeoning partnership between Özil-Cazorla could be truly special. With Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain soon to return, Arsenal may also finally have the depth required for a serious run on three fronts.
Tuesday’s Champions League match with Borussia Dortmund will be a sterner test and a better benchmark for this current Arsenal team, but for the first time in many months, the future is bright. It’s wearing the number 11 shirt.
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