Arsenal vs Huddersfield Town. Premier League.
Emirates StadiumAttendance59,285.
Thursday 30 November 2017 14:24, UK
Mesut Ozil put in a starring performance as a blistering second-half display from Arsenal saw them enjoy a 5-0 win over Huddersfield at the Emirates.
Alexandre Lacazette handed Arsenal an early lead (3) but the hosts failed to add to their lead before the break.
Huddersfield had chances to level, but three goals in five minutes put the game beyond the visitors, with Olivier Giroud (68) and Alexis Sanchez (69) scoring from Ozil assists before the German added a fourth himself (72).
Giroud then wrapped it up with a fifth late on (87) to ensure Arsenal's perfect start at home this season continued, while Huddersfield slip to a third-straight defeat.
It was the perfect start from Arsenal as Lacazette latched onto a delightful flick from Aaron Ramsey before sliding the ball past Jonas Lossl at the near post.
However, Arsenal took their foot off the gas, and did not come close again until just after the half-hour mark, with Lacazette seeing his smart chip from an acute angle cleared off the line by Martin Cranie before Sead Kolasinac skied the rebound.
Huddersfield then saw claims for a penalty waved away after Steve Mounie collided with Shkodran Mustafi, while the striker then took too long to get an attempt away, allowing Laurent Koscielny to come back and make the block.
After the break, Petr Cech got down well to prevent Collin Quaner from levelling, though the Arsenal goalkeeper did endure a hairy moment when palming a high ball onto his own bar.
Olivier Giroud came on for Lacazette at half-time, and though he hit the post after rounding Jonas Lossl, he scored Arsenal's second when finishing off a fine team move.
One minute later, it was Sanchez's turn to be set up by Ozil, and the Chilean made no mistake from 10 yards out when slamming the ball into the middle of the goal.
Ozil got in on the act himself moments later, delightfully lifting the ball over Lossl, while Giroud netted his second late on when cheekily stealing in ahead of team-mate Kolasinac.
Ozil is carrying on the fine form that helped Arsenal beat rivals Tottenham a couple of weeks ago, and two assists and a goal against Huddersfield once more stressed his importance to the side, having missed the Burnley 1-0 win with injury.
If the German does want to leave the Emirates, he's certainly not showing it on the pitch. He was their talisman on Wednesday night, even with Sanchez by his side, and as we edge towards the January transfer window, the furious speculation will only continue, unless he signs on the dotted line soon.
Arsene Wenger: "In the last 20 minutes we looked comfortable, but Huddersfield fought very well. We lost urgency after the 1-0, we lacked focus in our passing.
In the second half it could have been 1-1. But when we scored the second, it changed completely and they took a blow mentally. We finished in an outstanding way.
David Wagner: "First of all we have to congratulate Arsenal on this win. In the best period we had after half-time, when it was 1-0, they scored three goals in four minutes.
"After this, they showed what a top-class side they are and I think it was a deserved win for them. It's a top-class team and we've learned something today.
"If we want to put teams under pressure, we have to score, especially with these great opportunities that we had.
Arsenal host Manchester United in Saturday's late Premier League match, while Huddersfield are on the road again, this time heading to Everton in a 3pm kick-off on the same day.
