Mesut Ozil sent Arsenal’s six-shooters on a centenary romp as manager Arsene Wenger revealed: “He scores when he wants.”
The first treble of Ozil’s career crowned a swaggering display at the Emirates, where Wenger chalked up his 100th win in Europe with the Gunners after a 6-0 demolition of Bulgarian side Ludogorets.
Alexis Sanchez had begun the rout with the finest chip since Tiger Woods won the Masters after just 12 minutes.
The Chilean wizard checked his stride before scooping a sensational chip over stranded keeper Vladislav Stoyanov as Arsenal surged to the brink of their customary place in the last 16.
In a glut of fancy finishing, Theo Walcott fired his eighth goal of the season before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined the party.
Then Ozil tucked into the outclassed Bulgarians with a hat-trick, claiming the match ball with a volley reminiscent of Robin van Persie’s memorable strike against Everton five years ago.
The German’s lethal finishing vindicated Wenger’s programme notes, where the Arsenal manager revealed: “When you see him in training, he scores basically when he wants.
“You speak with the keepers and he’s one of the most difficult players to predict where he will put the ball.”
And afterwards, Wenger encouraged his World Cup winner to shoot more often, saying: “It looks like Ozil has the taste to score goals now.
“Before he only like to come to the ball and provide, but we want him to be a provider and a scorer.
“He’s slowly moving towards that better balance. I’m happy that he gets goals and I hope that gives him the taste to try more.”
Arsenal’s surge to the brink of the knockout stage in rampant style has effectively turned their home date with Paris St Germain next month into a shoot-out for top spot in the group.
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