Ozil scores a masterpiece, Arsenal returns to Top 4

Mesut Ozil's only goal helped the Emirates team win 1-0 against Newcastle in round 18 of the English Premier League.

Ozil has been involved in 6 goals in his last 5 Premier League games at the Emirates (scoring 2 and assisting 4). Photo: Sky.

The numbers don’t lie, but sometimes they don’t tell the whole story. The stats from this match are a case in point. Arsenal had 71% possession and 23 shots – all of which were more than Newcastle. But the reality is that they had a tough game, despite playing at home against a team in terrible form (7 losses, 1 draw, in their last 8 Premier League games).

The main reason is that Arsenal's strikers do not know how to finish the match. They maintain a steady attacking style, often having eye-catching passes between the attacking trio Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Alexandre Lacazette, with effective support from the back line such as Alex Iwobi or Hector Bellerin.

However, most of the opportunities were not taken advantage of, due to lack of sharpness or decisiveness in the final situations.

Arsenal (red and white) and Newcastle both had chances but only one goal was scored. Photo: Reuters.

In that situation, Ozil made the difference with a wonderful volley from the edge of the penalty area in the 23rd minute. Starting from a pass from his teammate on the right wing, Sanchez finished off the Newcastle player, the ball was then cleared right into Ozil's reach. The German star swung his left foot, creating a perfect curve to send the ball into Newcastle's net.

The opening goal helped Arsenal become more excited, continuing to develop their attacking style and repeatedly putting the visitors' goal on alert. In the 27th minute, Bellerin faced goalkeeper Rob Elliot but hastily shot with his left foot over the bar. About four minutes later, Grannit Xhaka fired a long-range shot that went wide.

Minute 38, the opportunity was given toLacazette, after a one-two combination with Ozil, but the home team's main striker still couldn't succeed. In the first half's injury time, Sanchez quickly poked the ball in an unfavorable position, sending the ball wide of the near post.

Sanchez and his teammates missed many opportunities. Photo: Reuters.

Unable to finish off their opponents despite creating a series of chances, Arsenal let Newcastle rise in the second half. First was Matt's shotRitchie sent the ball over the bar, and just a minute later it was Jacob Murphy's turn to force goalkeeper Petr Cech to dive to block a low shot in the penalty area.

In the 59th minute, Arsenal responded with a clever combination of goals and goals.Lacazette was in a good position but he ended up chipping the ball wide. That was also the last mark the French striker left on the field, before leaving the field to be replaced by Olivier Giroud. To improve the attack, coach Arsene Wenger also brought Danny Welbeck on the field.

However, Arsenal's chances were not as plentiful as before, and their strikers sometimes had to drop deep to support the defense. If Newcastle lost this match, they would be pushed down to the red zone. Therefore, with time running out, they recklessly rushed forward to find an equalizer.

And in the last 10 minutes, the away team really made Arsenal fans' hearts skip a beat. Minute 80Joselu's shot hit Laurent Koscielny and went just wide. About a minute later, the chance was created forAyoze Perez but the ball still refused to go into Arsenal's goal. In the 82nd minute, Perez jumped high and headed the ball out of sight.

The home team spent the final minutes full of anxiety. Photo: AFP.

To strengthen the defense, coach Wenger then had to take Sanchez off the field to put on defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin. And after moments of tiring struggle, the home team also kept all three points to return to the Top 4 with 33 points. Whether they can maintain this position for the rest of this round or not depends on the results of the matches of the two teams behind, Tottenham and Liverpool (both with 31 points).

According to VNE