Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has been amongst the goals so far this season, and it’s in part down to advice from Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
The German international is known for his creativity and assists, but with seven goals already this season in all competitions, it appears as though he’s added a new edge to his game.
Although his assists are down, with just four to his name in 14 outings so far this season, which compared to his 19 in the Premier League alone last year shows a difference, he’s relishing his improved form in front of goal and has revealed what Wenger has told him.
“The manager wants me to score lots of goals,” Ozil told the Arsenal website. “He sees in training that when I have a chance, the ball mostly goes in. When we train on finishing, he sees that I score lots of goals. He knows that I’m ice cold in front of goal and he wants to see that in matches.
“I’m doing that now — I go forward and, while I haven’t changed my game, I’m focusing on scoring goals myself too.”
The 28-year-old went on to add that he’s been told to target more than 10 goals this season and is already well on the way to surpassing that total.
While his goals are certainly important to the Gunners, Wenger will undoubtedly hope that he can also continue to be Arsenal’s creative spark in the final third too as it’s crucial to the way in which they play to unlock opposition defences.
Having built up a strong partnership with Alexis Sanchez, the duo will be desperate to maintain the club’s impressive start to the season which has seen them go unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions since their opening weekend loss to Liverpool, and their goals and assists will be crucial in ensuring Arsenal remain title contenders in the months ahead.