Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has opened the scoring for the Gunners, just three minutes into their clash vs Bournemouth this evening. Take a look at the goal. Ozil was played through on goal by left-back Sead Kolasinac, the retired Germany international then pulled off his trademark finish, which was tipped into the back of the net by Asmir Begovic. This is Ozil’s first league start for the Gunners in a month. Ozil’s goal this evening is his first in over four months. The World Cup winner last scored in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Leicester way back in October. Check out the goal below: Ozil with his trademark finish .. pic.twitter.com/cPzJcjYqHz — Arsene H (@Arsene1034) February 27, 2019 Ozil was on quite the drought before tonight’s goal involvement: Mesut Özil has been directly involved in a Premier League goal for the first time in 2019. He's ended his 441-minute drought without a goal or assist. ? pic.twitter.com/Xefu58tcWI — Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 27, 2019 The Gunners have got off to a flying start vs the Cherries.<doc-sep>Once you have subscribed we will use the email you provided to send you the newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter email. Mesut Ozil was at his best during Arsenal's 5-1 demolition of Bournemouth on Wednesday night. There have been complaints that the German midfielder doesn't always turn up, sometimes rather literally, but there could be no questioning his quality against the Cherries. The game marked Ozil's return to the Premier League starting XI, having become a peripheral figure this season and not always being favoured by new managed Unai Emery. Rumours of a loan move to Inter Milan during the January transfer window and constant reminders of his extortionate wages certainly haven't helped the situation, either. When Emery was asked about Ozil's latest performance, however, he remarked: "Good. I think he's happier with us. I am now also very proud of players and the same with Mesut. Arsenal 5-1 Bournemouth "He helped us with his quality and his work also to organise and play in different systems." And aside from his constant creativity and assist during the Bournemouth win, he also penned his name on the scoresheet and it came just four minutes into the match. Latching on to a pass from Sead Kolasinac, Ozil darted into a one-on-one opportunity and made absolutely no mistake, finishing delightfully over the dive of Artur Boruc. Ozil using his 'bounce' technique However, replays revealed that Ozil was once again up to his usual tricks, calling upon the so-called 'bounce' technique that has become his trademark in north London. Partially kicking the ball into the ground, it causes an irregular upward trajectory that often fools the goalkeeper on their descent and finds the back of the net. It certainly takes some nerve to deliberately kick the ball into the turf when you're clean through on goal but it worked for Ozil once again, so don't fix what isn't broken. Check out his goal down below: Ozil's boot and Boruc's body might go down, but the ball flew up and over. You would think that goalkeepers would have become adapted to the technique by now, yet they're so used to dealing with a traditional strike that their reaction is almost second nature. It seems to make the 30-year-old surprisingly reliable when played through on goal, even if his overall scoring record at Arsenal doesn't set the world alight. Ozil has been calling upon the method since his Real Madrid days and since joining Arsenal, his victims include: Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. Arsenal now move on to the north London derby this weekend and Emery will have to decide whether or not to start his German midfielder. Besides, another ricocheted finish at the Wembley stadium would certainly help Ozil bounce back. Do you think Ozil should start against Tottenham? Have your say in the comments section below. News Now - Sport News<doc-sep>Mesut Ozil opened the scoring with a sensational finish against Bournemouth (Picture: Getty) Mesut Ozil celebrated his return to Arsenal’s Premier League starting line-up with an early goal against Bournemouth. The German international’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks with Unai Emery having left him out of the side due to injury, sickness and tactical reasons. Ozil had featured only twice since Boxing Day prior to starting in last week’s Europa League win over BATE Borisov and made an encouraging cameo performance from the bench in the weekend win over Southampton. Mesut Ozil bounced the ball into the ground an over Artur Boruc (Picture: Getty) Emery made six changes to his side for the visit of Eddie Howe’s team and his tinkering paid immediate dividends when, in the fifth minute, Sead Kolasinac slipped in Ozil and the former Real Madrid star deceived Artur Borcu by bouncing his shot into the ground with his instep and over the experienced goalkeeper’s outstretched arm. It’s not the first time Ozil has showcased that extraordinary technique, he scored in the same fashion against both Liverpool and Huddersfield last season and Arsenal fans couldn’t get enough of it after he hit the back of the net for the first time since October… Ozil's ability to produce that bounce shot is honestly incredible ? — Aaqib (@Aaqib_M7) February 27, 2019 Mesut Ozil's bounce finish is pure magic. — Nathan Röberts (@Nathan14Roberts) February 27, 2019 Ozil has that bounce finish on lock — Dj Karnage (@KarnageRollDeep) February 27, 2019 the degree of difficulty against possible gain of Ozil kicking the ball into the ground to make it bounce is just so unreasonable, I know of no other equivalent skill in football, and the only reasonable explanation I can think of as to why he does it is that he is simply bored — ཊལབསརངཧ (@David_Rudnick) February 27, 2019<doc-sep>There were still more than 20 minutes remaining when Mesut Ozil slid down the gears, dropping into an amble as he strolled across to take a second-half set-piece for Arsenal. There was a swagger to his walk — shoulders back, head raised — as the supporters in the far corner of the Emirates rose to serenade the man they simply cannot help but love. Looking up at the stands, Ozil applauded the fans and tapped the Arsenal badge on his chest. This was a rare highlight in a difficult season, and the German was savouring the moment. He has been on the periphery for so much of this campaign, struggling to convince Unai Emery of his worth, but this was a glorious night for him and his team-mates. It was Ozil unchained, liberated at last, and it was one of those occasions when the endless questions over his enormous salary and questionable work ethic could be temporarily thrown out to the cold. With Ozil playing the languid conductor and Henrikh Mkhitaryan darting alongside him with a performance of real creativity and speed, Arsenal produced one of the most thrilling attacking showings of their season. Ozil and Mkhitaryan provided the guile, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were at their incisive best further forward.<doc-sep>
When Mesut Ozil is on top form, you know about it. The Arsenal midfielder can often slip under the radar with disappointing performances, but few Premier League players compare when he's on song. His return to Premier League action against Bournemouth was one of these occasions and Ozil took just four minutes to punish the Cherries in north London. Using his trademark 'bounce' technique, he sat down Artur Boruc and found the back of the net. Ozil was able to turn provider just a few moments later when Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubled the advantage and he was a constant creative influence throughout the game. Ozil shines vs Bournemouth It's the closest the 30-year-old has come to his remarkable showing against Leicester City from earlier in season; arguably his finest individual display since leaving Real Madrid. Unai Emery has been inconsistent with his selection of Ozil and constant absences through illness certainly haven't helped his cause. Nevertheless, his Bournemouth performance offered a welcome reminder of his quality and he couldn't have timed it any better with the north London derby on the horizon. Ozil's individual highlights Tottenham have suffered back-to-back defeats to Burnley and Chelsea, so Ozil's quality will be cause for concern and his full individual highlights put his influence into perspective. Compiling almost every one of Ozil's touches from the game, it shows him toying with Bournemouth and creating more opportunities than most midfielders do in two or three matches. He opened the scoring, offered an assist, hit the post, set up an assist and provided constant ammunition from both wings. Take a look at his highlights below: Watch it and weep, Mauricio Pochettino. Ok, as Arsenal fans know all too well, there's no guarantee that Ozill will be able to replicate such a dominant performance and big games have proven a sticking point in the past. But with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Erick Aubameyang offering a fluid strike-force, everything is set up for the German to reproduce his Bournemouth antics. There's great reason to suggest Emery - who has applied great emphasis on consistency - remains unconvinced with Ozil and this weekend marks a clear opportunity for him to change minds. Surely Emery will be set on starting the former Real Madrid man at Wembley Stadium now and gooners would welcome the decision with open arms. Given his monster wages and the quality fans know he has, there's no excuses for Ozil ahead of a game that could blow the top-four race wide open. Do you think Ozil will deliver the goods vs Tottenham? Have your say in the comments section below. News Now - Sport News