Monday 14 December 2015 08:36, UK
Arsene Wenger hailed another telling contribution from Mesut Ozil as Arsenal went top of the Premier League after a 2-0 win at Aston Villa.
Ozil now has more than double the assists of anyone else in the top flight after laying the ball off for Aaron Ramsey to score Arsenal's second at Villa Park.
The Gunners were already a goal to the good after Olivier Giroud had converted from the penalty spot, and they never looked in any danger of surrendering the lead, running out comfortable winners.
And with Ozil key to sealing another three points for his side, Wenger moved to praise the Germany international, who is proving the doubters wrong week on week.
"That's the way we want to play football and when it comes off it's good but I must say Mesut [Ozil] is an absolute complete, collective player," Wenger said.
"Sometimes he's frustrated that he doesn't get the same balls back but he's a very important link in our game."
Arsenal had Theo Walcott back to again link-up with Giroud in attack after combining well in the midweek win at Olympiakos in the Champions League, and with Ramsey looking to have shaken off the effects of his latest injury, it was pleasing afternoon all round for Wenger.
"I believe the approach was right," Wenger added. "First half we were completely in control and I was a bit anxious about the second half because we gave a lot on Wednesday night.
"It was a long trip and the second half was much more difficult. We were a bit lucky on one or two occasions on crosses from Villa and in the last 20 minutes we missed opportunities to score the third goal, but overall for us it was a great week."
Wenger also reserved praise for Petr Cech, who matched David James's Premier League cleansheets record with another shutout at Villa Park.
"I don't believe that anyone still questions Petr Cech," Wenger added. "He's an all-time great in goal and the record speaks for him."
