Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised Mesut Ozil as a complete player after the midfielders rich vein of form continued with a masterful display against AFC Bournemouth.
The 27-year-old Germany international was instrumental in the Gunners 2-0 win on 28 December, assisting Gabriels opener with a pinpoint corner into the box before getting on the scoresheet himself in the second half after a clever one-two with Olivier Giroud.
Ozil has now scored three goals and made 16 assists in the first 19 games of the Premier League season. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Wenger praised the former Real Madrid star as a hard-working player and focal point of the team.
Mesut was the focal point of our team. He is a guy who gives reassurance with his technical security, with his fluidity. So when we had problems in the first part of the game he gives you that security and that confidence, he said.
I have seen good games from Ozil. What is important is that he convinces everybody that hes not only a talented player but ready to work hard for the team. He has added goals to his assists and overall he is a complete player.
The result saw Arsenal leapfrog Leicester City to the top of the Premier League table, albeit only temporarily if the Foxes beat Manchester City at the King Power Stadium on 29 December. The next game for the Gunners is against relegation-threatened Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on 2 January.