Arsene Wenger demands more goals from Mesut Ozil but admits it was a 'pleasure' to watch his performance in win over Crystal Palace
Wenger wants the midfielder to up his number of goals scored from just four last season
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger has admitted that he would like Mesut Özil to add more goals to Arsenal's Premier League title challenge this season after scoring just four times in the league last term.
Following the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace that saw the Gunners earn their first three points of the new campaign, Wenger admitted that it had been a “pleasure” to watch Özil when he plays as well as he did at Selhurst Park.
Having gone ahead through a well-executed Olivier Giroud volley, Arsenal were pegged back when Joel Ward equalised. However, along with his midfield partner Santi Cazorla, Özil proved instrumental in putting the north London side back into the lead courtesy of a Damien Delaney own-goal.
Speaking after the match, Wenger lavished praise on Özil’s performance as well as praise the character of his team to bounce back from the opening weekend defeat to West Ham, but admitted that he still wants the Germany international to add more to the team.
“It was a very good performance, he [Özil] was very important getting the ball out from the back in tight areas,” said Wenger.
“It's a pleasure to watch the quality of his passing and the intelligence of his passing. What I want from him more is a few more goals this season.
“He was absolutely magnificent. He works harder than many people think he does. He's not spectacular in his defending, but he wants to do the job and 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 but today he mixed up his game better.”
On the victory, Wenger took heart from the fact that Arsenal were able to put themselves ahead for the second time after Palace had fought back with a period of impressive attacking play.
“It was a mental test when they came back to 1-1 after last week, and we managed to find a second goal,” Wenger added.
“We had to dig in and fight in the second part, and we did that. I'm pleased. We showed many different aspects that will be very important in the season.”
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