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Wenger offers thoughts on performances of Ozil, Sanchez & Cazorla

By on August 16, 2015
Alexis Sanchez

Image: Mirror

Arsene Wenger has offered his thoughts on the performances of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla following Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Olivier Giroud scored a cracker before Damian Delaney put through his own net to gift us the three points in the second half, but it was the displays of three of our key men that had the boss talking after the game.

Ozil was back to his brilliant best at Selhurst Park with the German international showing off an array of silky touches and he also grabbed an assist for Giroud’s opener.

Arsene described his build-up play as ‘magnificent’ and was pleased with the intelligent runs the attacker was making. It’s no coincidence Ozil was on top form back in the No.10 role.

Cazorla was officially given the MOTM award – although I personally think Ozil should have won – and the Spaniard was also back to his best after being restored to his deeper central role.

Arsene explained that Santi’s role in the team is vital as he can receive the ball from deep and link up play with the forwards better than any other player in the squad.

Sanchez made his first start of the new season and although he was a little rusty in front of goal, the Chilean was still a threat and his far post header led to a goal in the second half.

The boss admitted that Alexis is still a little short fitness-wise but acknowledged that it was his fighting spirit that forced the eventual winner.

Arsene told Arsenal.com:

on Alexis…

He brings a drive forward. He brings the pressure on the opponent. He brings goal chances. When it was 1-1 it is no coincidence that he found the header over Ward [and] maybe it’s a typical Alexis goal. More desire than fitness, he is still a bit short fitness-wise but he is a fighter.

on Mesut Ozil…

He had a very good performance. He was important getting out from the back, getting out of tight areas. It is a pleasure to watch the quality of his passing and the intelligence of his passing. What I told you is what I want from him more is a few more goals this season. For the rest of the build-up in the game he was magnificent. He works harder than people thinks he does. He is not spectacular in his defending but he wants to do the job, he wants to help the team. What I liked in his game today was he made many runs without the ball behind the defenders, which is a bit new as he likes to come with the ball. Today he mixed up his game better.

on Santi Cazorla…

Cazorla is important the start of the game when the ball comes from our defenders, because he can pass from deep midfield to high midfield better than everybody and get out of pressure. That’s why I positioned him more central. He is not any more a player on the flanks who can overlap and cross the ball.