Aston Villa 0-3 Arsenal

by Simon Williams, at Villa Park

Arsene Wenger insisted on Saturday that he never considered taking Mezut Ozil out of the firing line despite much criticism of the midfielder in recent weeks.

The German (pictured) has failed to live up to the £42.5 million price tag paid to Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 making him the the clubs most expensive signing.

But playing in his more favoured number 10 position, Ozil was quick to answer his critics when he opened the scoring against Aston Villa.

He was involved again just two minutes later setting up Danny Welbeck to score his first goal for the Gunners since joining from Manchester United.

Villains defender Aly Cissokho turned the ball into his own net to make it 3-0 to the visitors in a frantic four minute period.

After the game Wenger defended Ozil claiming that dropping the World Cup winning midfielder was never an option.

He said: “You consider it always, I have many offensive players and you always look to find the right balance and it’s not always easy because I gave (Alexis) Sanchez a rest as he played many games.

“We have plenty of experienced players who are not playing at the moment and are top quality. But I felt as well that it was at the point where you have to show him (Ozil) that confidence is there. He showed as well that he can respond when he’s under scrutiny.

“It’s always a very sensitive point if you leave them out, you never know how people will respond.”

Wenger also had praise for Welbeck who made the assist for the opening goal before netting himself. He said: “I think he had a very good performance today because he kept the ball. Ball retention is important and he had a good all-round game for a central striker.”

And Welbeck himself feels he is slowly settling into life in London.

He said: “I’ve not had as many training sessions as I would have liked to but I’m starting to know the other players a lot better. In time I’m sure the understanding will be positive.

“It was a good team performance and we started really well. We moved the ball and got in behind them at times — that was the difference.”