Arsenal were involved in two games this week, looking to bounce back after their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby last Saturday. The first game was on Tuesday, when Arsenal played Premier League side Leicester. It was a game of two halves for the Gunners. In the first-half, they were excellent and managed to score two goals, from defender Laurent Koscielny and winger Theo Walcott. However, they should have really put the game to bed by the time the half time whistle had been blown, as they wasted a handful of good chances. In the second half, Arsenal were absolutely dreadful and were lucky to only concede the one goal. The game ended 2-1, but it was, overall, a bitter-sweet performance.
Their second game was against Championship outfit Middlesborough, a team not to be underestimated after their 2-0 win at Manchester City last month, in the fifth-round of the FA Cup. With the Premier League title out of reach and winning the Champions League unlikely, the FA Cup is the realistic target this season. Arsenal booked their place in the quarter-finals with a professional performance, which saw Olivier Giroud score two well-taken goals.
Despite Giroud's goals, it was Mesut Özil who was Man of the Match against Middlesborough, as well as Leicester, and is this week's VAVEL Star Man of the Week. The German was superb in the first-half against Leicester. The player was so comfortable on the ball and player a number of clever passes to team mates. In the second half, like the rest of the Arsenal team, the 26-year-old could hardly kick a ball.
Against Middlesborough though, the midfield maestro was sublime all game. His reading of the game was brilliant and he showed some neat flicks and tricks throughout the game. This is the player Wenger spent £42 million for. Before the game, many football fans have stated they thought the Arsenal man had under-performed during his time at Arsenal, even since his return from injury. This may be a little harsh, as Özil has played some of his best football since his return to from injury in January. It's always difficult after a long lay-off, and the World Cup winner has done well. The statistics show this too; five games, three goals, three assists and three Man of the Match awards.
If Özil and the rest of the team play like this every round, Arsenal might go on to retain the cup they won last May, after all.