Shkodran Mustafi says he told Mesut Özil to take the free-kick that led to the opening goal against Tottenham because he believes in the German’s deliveries. His words were proved true.

Before the 36th minute, Granit Xhaka and Alexis Sanchez had taken a couple of set pieces for the Gunners, and nothing had come of them. So when Alexis was fouled for another free-kick, Mustafi thought it was the perfect position for Özil to play one in.

“The thing is, as I was going up [Mesut Ozil] was on the other side of the pitch and I said “Mesut, please. Go to the ball and bring it in,”. Mustafi told Arsenal.com after the game, reports the Metro.

“I know his left foot and I know his deliveries and if you have players that can put the ball in like that, you go in with belief. That’s the most important thing when you go up for corners and free kicks, the belief that you can score and with the team that we have and the quality that we have, you go in and try to get your head on the ball.

“I was only happy that they didn’t blow the whistle. It happened to me against Chelsea, so this time I’m lucky to get away with it. This is football, we always get things against us and things for us at the end of the year it is always a draw, you get good things and bad things.”

Mustafi’s goal was a crucial one, and although there was a hint of offside, it would’ve been harsh to rule it out. Especially after the Gunners were killed off against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium by a blatantly incorrect decision.

Arsenal had dominated the play against Tottenham for the opening half hour, despite conceding one or two good chances to Harry Kane, and always looked on top after the opening goal.

Özil has been criticised in the big games in the past, but when you have a long-range free-kick at an important moment in the match, I wouldn’t trust anyone else to step up.

The German international has a number of assists from set pieces, including that Danny Welbeck header against Leicester, five minutes into injury time. Thankfully, Mustafi managed to convince the playmaker to take this one against Spurs too.