Mesut Ozil fired back a response to his critics with a goal and an assist as Arsenal overcame a resilient West Ham 3-0 at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
Germany international Ozil – making his 150th Arsenal appearance – has come under fire for lacklustre displays this season and the ire aimed in his direction increased during a run the Gunners took into Wednesday’s game that had seen them win just three times in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Ongoing speculation around the 28-year-old’s future in north London has added to the animosity he has been subjected to, but his first goal of 2017 put Arsene Wenger’s side on the path to ending a three-match winless run in the top flight.
Ozil then set up Theo Walcott to angle in the second, capping a performance that may appease sections of the support unhappy with him and Wenger.
The Frenchman was the target of a protest in which fans refused to take their seats until the 13th minute – a reference to the number of years they have gone without a Premier League title. However, the empty spaces continually filled from kick-off.
Substitute Olivier Giroud capped the win with an exquisite finish, with Arsenal now fifth following Manchester United’s draw with Everton on Tuesday, providing a much-needed boost to their Champions League ambitions as the seasons enters its final stretched.
For Slaven Bilic, however, a fifth successive defeat and seventh winless match provides further concern after he was given the vote of confidence this week.
Emiliano Martinez made his first Premier League appearance since December 2014 with Petr Cech and David Ospina out injured, and he was placed under early pressure from Manuel Lanzini and Mark Noble, though neither managed to hit the target.
Fans continually filtered to their seats from kick-off and any intentional protesters arrived in time to see Walcott drill a shot from Hector Bellerin’s cutback straight at Darren Randolph.
Arsenal kept West Ham penned back, but Danny Welbeck was unable to take full advantage, failing to connect with Alexis Sanchez’s dinked free-kick before aiming a header too close to Randolph as West Ham held firm until half-time.
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