Arsenal 2-0 Napoli: Mesut Ozil opens account

Mesut Ozil: First goal for club. Picture: Reuters

ARSENAL club-record signing Mesut Ozil scored his first goal since a £43 million deadline day move as the Gunners took control of Champions League Group F with a 2-0 win over Napoli at the Emirates Stadium.

Scorers: Arsenal - Ozil (8), Giroud (15)

German international Ozil, signed from Real Madrid, dispatched a classy finish on eight minutes following a fine cross by in-form Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Ozil then turned provider to set up Olivier Giroud for a quick-fire second with just quarter of an hour played to leave Rafael Benitez’s men shell-shocked.

It was a tenth straight win in all competitions for Arsene Wenger’s side, who have stormed to the top of the Barclays Premier League and now look on course for safe passage through to the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition.

“I felt that we played at a good pace, technically very direct and finished with great goals,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who started with England midfielder Jack Wilshere as Mikel Arteta came into the team along with fit-again Czech playmaker Tomas Rosicky.

“The first half was outstanding. The second half we played more with maturity, less with drive going forward, a bit more cautious, but overall and outstanding game.

“The first half was amazing, absolutely fantastic. Everything was in there. All that you dream to see when you come to watch football. We were solid.”

Arsenal’s victory was, however, somewhat overshadowed by reports of trouble caused by Napoli fans as they vandalised shops on Holloway Road en route to the Emirates Stadium.