Arsenal 2-0 Napoli: Mesut Ozil scores one and makes one in impressive Champions League win
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli: Mesut Ozil scores one and makes one in impressive Champions League win
Slick Gunners leave Rafa Benitez's Italians chasing shadows and their fans thinking that this actually could be their year
Going great Gunns: Goalscorer Ozil gets mobbed
Paul Gilham
Mesut Ozil produced a Champions League masterclass to make Arsenal's Group of Death look like a walk in the park.
Ozil produced a stunning performance, scoring one, making another and, even more importantly, making Arsenal believe again.
They
hit heights in the first half not seen since the Invincibles era as
their brilliant midfield movement, passing and style completely
overwhelmed Rafa Benitez's Napoli.
Benitez had claimed he
was building a team to sit up and make the world take notice but Arsene
Wenger's men dismantled them with a breathtaking exhibition.
Ozil
was at the heart of everything, while Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini
provided the energy and work rate to keep Arsenal's midfield engine room
pumping.
By the end, Arsenal's fans were chanting "We are top of the league" - which is true both of the Premier League and Champions League Group F.
Nothing
is won in October but this team is playing with such belief and
confidence that they have made winning an irresistible and wonderful
habit.
They look unstoppable right now and surely they will never have a better chance of ending their eight year wait for a trophy.
Wenger
has bravely claimed every year that they can win the Champions League
but the truth is they have become also-rans in this competition since
losing the 2006 final to Barcelona in Paris. Midfield maestro: Aaron Ramsey was excellent once more
Paul Gilham
But now not only do they look genuine contenders in the
Premier League title race they also look a major threat in Europe
playing like this.
Napoli, who have made an impressive start to
their Serie A campaign under Benitez, were supposed to provide a stern
test and yet Arsenal passed it with flying colours.
It was almost too easy.
They were ahead after just eight minutes as, typically, Ramsey and Ozil combined to drive through Napoli's defence.
Bacary
Sagna's throw-in was flicked on by Olivier Giroud for Ramsey, who made a
brilliant run down the right, attacked the Napoli penalty box and then
cut the ball back perfectly for Ozil.
The German playmaker timed
his run to perfection and fired a brilliant left-footed shot into the
net to give Napoli's on-loan keeper Pepe Reina no chance.
Ozil's
first goal since his £42m arrival took the roof off the Emirates as the
Arsenal fans roared in appreciation for the brilliant exhibition in
front of them.
They made it two inside 15 minutes as Giroud began
another move down the right with a lay-off for Ozil before the Arsenal
striker quickly raced into the penalty box.
Ozil turned provider
this time as he carried the ball forward, broke into the penalty box and
cut it back for Giroud, who arrived in perfect time to finish the move
he started by sweeping the ball home into the roof of the net. Party time: Mesut Ozil celebrates the opener
Paul Gilham
Arsenal fans can barely believe what they are seeing at the moment.
This
all feels a lot longer than just six weeks and nine wins since their
opening day defeat to Aston Villa, which left fans in total despair with
their team and Wenger.
But Ozil has got them believing they can
compete with the big boys again. Arsenal look a team bursting with
belief and confidence and they are riding on such a wave that you get
the feeling anything is possible.
Napoli had very few moments and
defender Miguel Britos, who had a stinker, summed up his night by
heading their best and possibly only chance of the night high and wide.
Benitez
was without his big summer signing as £33m striker Gonzalo Higuain was
out injured but it was Arsenal who made them look ordinary.
Arsenal
had it wrapped up before half-time and the other reassuring part of
this team is that they look strong enough defensively to protect a lead.
Napoli never looked like getting back into the game.
Wenger's
men nearly grabbed a third in the 76th minute when Ozil's cross was
flicked on by Mikel Arteta and Laurent Koscielny's close-range shot was
brilliantly saved by Napoli's on-loan keeper Pepe Reina.
No matter.
Arsenal look the real deal again. They are going to take some stopping.
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