Ozil challenged by Emery after seeing off Toon
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has challenged Mesut Ozil to rediscover his best form on a sustained basis after seeing him fire the Gunners to 2-1 Premier League victory at Newcastle. Ozil’s 58th-minute strike secured back-toback away wins in the league for the first time since the 2016-17 season after Granit Xhaka had opened the scoring, with substitute Ciaran Clark reducing the deficit in stoppage time.
Asked if Arsenal would benefit from the former Germany international’s decision to retire from international football, Emery said: “It’s a new way for him.
“He has to continue helping with his quality and working hard to continue with the performances we want from him.” Newcastle had the better of the first half, but could not test keeper Petr Cech often enough to get themselves in front, and they were made to pay within four minutes of the restart when Xhaka curled home a fine free-kick. With half-time substitute Lucas Torreira pulling the strings, Ozil doubled their advantage as the Magpies wilted and it was not until a last-gasp barrage that Clark pulled one back. Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe insists Ryan Fraser has plenty of untapped potential after watching him dismantle Leicester.
Scottish winger Fraser scored two and made another as the Cherries continued their bright start to the season with a resounding 4-2 Premier League victory over the 10-man Foxes.
The 24-year-old, a doubt for the clash after picking up a hamstring problem on international duty, quickly proved his fitness with a couple of composed finishes, before providing a second-half assist for Adam Smith.
“I think he can go wherever he wants to go, I’d say the same for any player with his ability and his age,” said Howe.
After a slow start, they were 3-0 up at the break thanks to Fraser’s double and a penalty from Joshua King, awarded when Ricardo Pereira was penalised for handball.
The dismissal of Leicester captain Wes Morgan added to the visitors’ woes, before Cherries defender Smith slotted home the fourth, nine minutes from time.
A late spot-kick from Foxes forward James Maddison followed by a header from substitute Marc Albrighton halved the deficit late on. Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson revealed match-winner Wilfried Zaha defied the doctors to return so soon after injury and seal a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town. Zaha struck with a brilliant solo effort shortly before half-time after recovering from a groin strain.
“It was a wonderful goal, wasn’t it?” said Hodgson. “It was a really good goal. He was lively throughout.”