Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe reveals admiration for Mesut Ozil

Ozil’s return for this season is a staggering 0.89 and, should he stay free from injury, he will surely now better Henry’s all-time Premier League record of 20 assists in one single campaign.

Bournemouth began on the front foot, winning the first corner of the game before fit-again striker Josh King stung the hands of Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal.

Arsenal’s reign at the top of the table may be a short one, with Leicester City taking on Manchester City on Tuesday night in a battle between second and fourth.

Giroud slid the ball just wide from Ozil’s cutback before being taken off, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the woodwork with a deflected shot in the final 10 minutes.

“I think that the great thing is that we go game by game”, he said.

Eddie Howe’s team made a confident start, with Charlie Daniels’s low cross scrambled out of the Arsenal goalmouth and Gabriel blocking a volley from Harry Arter.

El jugador del Arsenal, Mesut Ozil, derecha, dispara para vencer al portero del Bournemouth, Artur Boruc, durante el partido de la Liga Premier de Inglaterra entre ambos clubes en el estadio Emirates en Londres, el lunes 28 de diciembre de 2015.

Yet until his contribution after 27 minutes, when his corner picked out Gabriel, who glided past his marker Charlie Daniels and headed home decisively, Arsenal had in fact looked a little unsure of themselves.

The win moved Wenger’s side top of the Premier League, for 24 hours at least, and, when asked if Ozil is now the best player in the division, Wenger replied: “Look at the numbers on the assists and they speak for him. He is the complete player”. His nine chances created against Bournemouth is a division high for the season. The Frenchman, with his back to goal, provided a cute flick back to Ozil, who casually slotted home from close range as the Cherries defence could only watch on mesmerised by the German’s ability.

James’ Premier League career began in 1992 and lasted until 2010. Bergkamp was more of a goal-scorer and Ozil is more of a man for assists. “It took us a while to get going but we were in control of the game and did very well”.

“I think he can be very proud of that record because it is a remarkable achievement”, said Wenger.

The 33-year-old has already proven to be one of the best signings of the summer and remains one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the English top flight. He nearly did so after a chipped pass into the Bournemouth area but Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott got in each other’s way and the chance was gone.