Mesut Özil netted a well-taken volley with aplomb on a memorable birthday for the creative midfielder.
Now 28-years-old, the German scored with a wonderful volley and was influential in helping Arsenal to all three points during a tough afternoon against Swansea City at the Emirates.
He wheeled away to celebrate with his trademark M gesture, and Arsenal were on Twitter post-match to quote what Özil had previously said the celebration stood for:
“That’s for my niece. She’s called Mira and when I score now, the goals are for her. She’s too young to notice but she has come to London a few times and has watched some games in which I’ve scored and then made that hand gesture.”
Özil is known more for his assists and playmaking ability than goals, but as Arsène has said publicly, he’s challenged Mesut to pitch in with goals on a more regular basis than in previous seasons.
5 goals and 9 assists in the 2014/15 campaign was followed up by eight goals and 20 more assists (total in all competitions).
Already this term, Mesut has notched up three goals, all of which have come in the Premier League and Wenger will be hoping it continues in the long-term.