Arsene Wenger hailed a superb display from Mesut Ozil in Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.
Olivier Giroud’s stunning volley and a Damien Delaney own goal ensured Arsenal bounced back from their opening-day defeat to West Ham United and took their first three points of the campaign at Selhurst Park.
Giroud’s strike was the most eye-catching moment in the match but it was Ozil who was the standout player, dictating the visitors’ attacks with a number of exquisite passes.
“It is a pleasure to watch the quality of his passing and the intelligence of his passing,” Wenger said. “What I want from him is a few more goals this season. For the rest of the build-up in the game he was magnificent.
“He works harder than people think he does. He is not spectacular in his defending but he wants to do the job, he wants to 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.”
Arsenal have not lost to Palace since October 1994 but Alan Pardew’s side offered a stern test and looked capable of earning a point when Joel Ward drove home an equaliser just before the half-hour mark.
“This is a difficult place for everybody to come and to win,” Wenger said.
“I’m sure they will beat many strong teams here and to get the three is already a little bit of a turning point in the Premier League for us. To lose today would have been a big blow mentally.
“We have shown our strong response and we have shown different aspects in our game that are vital in the Premier League.”
Arsenal were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men after Francis Coquelin twice avoided being given a second yellow card from referee Lee Mason.
Coquelin could have been sent off when he pushed Wilfried Zaha to the ground at the end of the first half and he avoided a second yellow again for a clumsy challenge on James McArthur in the second period.
Wenger eventually substituted the midfielder but the Frenchman insisted Mason had made the right decision not to send his player off.
“He didn’t deserve a (second) yellow card. The pressure was on to get him sent off,” Wenger said.
Pardew shook his head in dismay on the touchline while the home fans vented their frustration by booing Mason off the pitch at half time.
The Palace manager said he understood the referee sparing Coquelin the first foul before half time, but said the midfielder should have been dismissed after bringing down McArthur.
“I had a chat with Lee in the tunnel (at half time) and we agreed that he shouldn’t have been sent off – you don’t want that,” Pardew said.
“But I said ‘that’s his last chance, he can’t afford to make another challenge’, and he did. But (Mason) didn’t make the call. He should’ve been sent off.”
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