Ozil stars in Arsenal rout of Huddersfield
LONDON: Mesut Ozil produced a major second-half contribution as substitute Olivier Giroud scored twice in Arsenal's 50 Premier League victory at home to Huddersfield Town on Wednesday.
It was the Gunners' seventh win out of seven at the Emirates Stadium in the league this season and Ozil was influential with two assists and a goal in a four-minute period as the Gunners remained in the top four.
Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal an early lead before Ozil set up Giroud and Alexis Sanchez before scoring himself. Giroud then added a late fifth goal.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger played arguably his strongest side, with Ozil returning alongside Lacazette and Sanchez.
But in this first meeting between these two sides since January 1972, Huddersfield manager David Wagner made six changes to his starting XI.
It was a decision that appeared to backfire when Arsenal went ahead as early as the third minute when a superb move resulted in Lacazette's seventh goal for Arsenal and fifth at the Emirates.
Granit Xhaka's pass was flicked into the path of the Frenchman by Aaron Ramsey and he produced an expert left-footed finish to leave Jonas Lossl with no chance.
The hosts could have extended their lead as Ramsey shot over when well placed but at the other end Mathias Jorgensen headed over the bar from Chris Lowe's free-kick.
Lacazette continued to put Huddersfield under major pressure and he was unfortunate not to make it two when his shot from the angle was cleared off the line by Martin Cranie, Sead Kolasinac unable to get a proper connection on the rebound.
Wenger's side had been dominant but they may have gone in at the break all square at 1-1.
Shkodran Mustafi tangled with Steve Mounie in the penalty area but no penalty was awarded while Collin Quaner was unable to get a shot away after Laurent Koscielny recovered after the Huddersfield striker had appeared to go through on goal.
Lacazette failed to re-appear for the start of the second half, with Giroud coming on in his place.
Ozil saw his shot deflected harmlessly after good play by Sanchez down the left but at the other end Quaner was only denied by the feet of Petr Cech after a determined run into the area. AFP