Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised the qualities of Mesut Ozil following the Gunners’ 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow in the Europa League quarter-final first-leg. The north London side produced a dominant first-half performance with four goals scored, and Ozil played an influential role with three assists.

Speaking after the game, Wenger spoke positively about the German saying: “Ozil enjoys and I hope you enjoy. You see a great football player. When you love football, that’s what you want to see. We scored some great goals in the first half and at half-time the target was not to concede anymore and, if possible, add another one.We did the first part of the job in the second half but not the second part of the job. We have to go there with that right focus and try to win the game”.

The Germany international had come for a bit of stick from a section of the fans after he underperformed following the contract extension in January. However, since the AC Milan game last month, and the attacker has returned to his old self, and he has started to contribute more regularly in the form of assists, especially in the Europa League.

Arsenal have shown key emphasis on bolstering their attack this season, and Wenger now needs to find the balance by reinforcing the defence which has been the weakness for the Gunners in this season’s Premier League. Laurent Koscielny has not been able to continue with his consistent performance owing to a nagging Achilles problem, and the club now require another experienced centre-back, who could offer competition in the ranks.

Prior to that, the club will have their sights on winning this season’s Europa League title which remains realistically their best route of progressing into the Champions League next term.Arsenal are currently 13 points off the fourth position in the Premier League with just seven games left.