Arsenal returned to winning ways but had Mesut Ozil to thank for scoring a wonderful winner as they toiled against out-of-form Newcastle.

Having taken just two points from their last three games, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could not have wished for a better game in which to register a first Premier League win of the month.

But the performance in a tight 1-0 victory over the Magpies was met with incredulity from pockets of the home fans, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and the recalled Alexandre Lacazette struggling to make an impact once again.

Newcastle are without a league victory since October 21 and their slide into the relegation battle continued despite a determined showing here, with profligate finishing their main issue.

Here's how the action unfolded.

Mesut Ozil scores the winner (
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Ozil celebrates his strike (
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Jack Wilshere vies for the ball with Matt Ritchie (
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Man United fans rejoice after Mesut Ozil stunner for Arsenal with rumours of January move to Old Trafford

Manchester United fans are beginning to get excited about the prospect of Mesut Ozil leaving Arsenal for Old Trafford next month.

The Red Devils faithful collectively celebrated the German’s sensational volley to put the Gunners ahead against Newcastle, sensing the prospect of the former Real Madrid star thriving under Jose Mourinho.

Ozil beautifully guided a volley off his back foot into the net, further underlining what Arsene Wenger will lose unless he can convince him to extend his deal beyond this season.

Mourinho enjoyed a good relationship with Ozil during their time together at the Bernabeu and some fans joked that Ozil’s upturn in form is merely an “audition” for a big-money move next month.

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Team news

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles Xhaka, Wilshere, Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette

Subs: Giroud Ospina, Chambers, Welbeck, Kolasinac, Coquelin, Elneny

Newcastle: Elliot, Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo Hayden, Merino, Atsu, Perez, Murphy, Joselu

Subs: Clark Dummett, Gayle, Diame, Ritchie, Aarons, Darlow

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

General view of fans outside the stadium (
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Action Images via Reuters)

Welcome

Arsene Wenger is bracing himself for the biggest squad shake-up of his 21 year reign at Arsenal .

Arsenal face the prospect of losing Alexis Sanchez , Mesut Ozil , Jack Wilshere and club captain Per Mertesacker who are all out of contract at the end of the season.

Olivier Giroud could also go in the summer unless he gets more regular games while Everton are interested and have made an enquiry about Theo Walcott whose contract expires in 2019.

They also face dilemmas over Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck who are in the final two years of their contracts and Arsenal will be desperate not to face the prospect of losing more big names running down their deals.

Sanchez is certain to go with his contract expiring this summer and Paris Saint-Germain are likely to bid in January which may force Manchester City’s hand if they want him.

Arsenal may consider selling Sanchez rather than lose him for nothing after his drop in performances and even team mates worry his form has been affected by his uncertain future.