Arsène Wenger says it’s important that Mesut Özil continues to take risks, after the German scored a lovely volley against Newcastle on Saturday.

The goal ended up winning the match for the Gunners, but Wenger thinks the attempt was rather uncharacteristic of Özil. The manager told his post-match press conference that he wanted to see that sort of thing a bit more from the 29-year-old, saying (via ESPN): “You know he can deliver it, and it’s important for him to take the risk to do what he did.

“Because usually he’s a guy who, 99 percent of the time in these positions he controls the ball and gives it to somebody else. So I’m happy that he took the gamble to finish. And happy as well that he scored a very important goal.”

Özil is certainly more likely to play a pass to somebody else than have a shot himself. That was even evident in the Newcastle match, as he had two shots over the 90 minutes, but created eight chances for his teammates.

That’s what the World Cup winner is best at, and I don’t think any of us would want him to stop creating.

However, occasionally, Özil gets a good opportunity to have a go himself. He’s already shown he has the technique on multiple occasions, such as the volley against Swansea last season, or the sublime effort against Ludogorets, or his clever chip against Huddersfield this campaign.

It’s just about having the confidence to take them on consistently.

Fortunately, the former Real Madrid man did have a go on this occasion, and Arsenal are three points better off as a result.