Ozil masterclass puts Arsenal on course for Europa League semi-finals
Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette each scored twice as Mesut Ozil put on a masterclass to overwhelm CSKA Moscow and all but book Arsenal’s place in the semi-finals.
Arsene Wenger knows winning this competition is the only realistic way his side can get back into the Champions League as they sit 13 points adrift of the Premier League’s top four.
He named his strongest side, far too much for their Russian visitors with first-half braces for Ramsey and Lacazette sealing a comfortable 4-1 win ahead of the return leg.
Aleksandr Golovin had equalised for Moscow with a stunning free-kick but Viktor Goncharenko’s side have it all to do in a week’s time.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan went close to an early goal but could only hit the side-netting following a smart pass from Ozil – who would go on to run the game.
Ramsey slotted home from Hector Bellerin’s low cross at the end of a slick move that had the visitors’ back three tied in knots, but Moscow equalised just six minutes later, Golovin curling home a perfect freekick after he was fouled by Laurent Koscielny.
Arsenal were soon back in front as Ozil was tripped in the penalty area by Georgi Schennikov. Lacazette marked his first start since January by scoring the resulting penalty before Ramsey increased the lead with a moment of brilliance – deftly lifting Ozil’s perfectly-weighted pass over Akinfeev to put Arsenal in control of the tie.
The fit-again Lacazette added his own second effort of the night with a well-taken low finish to further push Wenger’s men towards the semi-finals.