Arsenal's Mesut Ozil receives instructions from manager Arsene Wenger
Arsenal's Mesut Ozil receives instructions from manager Arsene Wenger REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised comeback-playmaker Mesut Ozil, after the latter played an instrumental role in thrashing Aston Villa 5-0 on Sunday in the Premier League.

The World Cup-winning Germany international missed thirteen top-flight fixtures since going down with a torn knee ligament in October 2014.

He initially played for seventeen minutes in the Gunners’ victory against Stoke City on matchday 21 but was rested when they visited the Eithad the following game.

Nevertheless, he showed why he is considered as among the top-class players of his time by tallying a goal and an assist in his return as a starter.

“It’s always, ‘where does he play? On the left, in the middle?” Wenger told Arsenal.com.

“I think he still lacks a little bit of competitive edge on sharpness but the quality of his game is exceptional and he’s getting back now.”

“He worked very, very hard physically and he’s now ready to play again.”

Although trailing table leaders Chelsea by eleven points at this juncture, the French mentor is still not losing hope and believes that his side still has a fighting chance in snatching the coveted premiership trophy, which he last lifted in 2004.

“It’s too early to say [that Arsenal can still have a say]. We are 11 points behind - that means they need to lose four games and we need to win four,” he added.

“I believe that we should try to be consistent and see what happens.”

“I told you, you asked me my predictions [for the Chelsea v Manchester City game]. I said a draw and I was not wrong because Chelsea had one shot on target and Manchester City three or four. It was a draw.”

The north London outfit now have a relatively healthier squad especially on the attacking end, with only Jack Wilshere recuperating from a long-term blow, among others. And Wenger admitted that he is going to have a hard time selecting the best eleven.

“Yes [I am going to have a selecting headache], of course. But, my job is about selection,” he intimated.

“Sometimes, no matter who you select, you can be wrong. No matter who you select, you can be right as well when you have the quality.”

“You cannot really be wrong because all the players have the quality to play.”

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