Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal: Five talking points

Sunderland hosted the Gunners at Stadium of Light for a game billed to be high intensity, and a crucial milestone in Arsenal’s history as their most expensive player was set to take the field against a formidable team Arsenal have found tough to break in recent times.

The match lived up to all its expectations with Ozil delivering a great performance, Sunderland fighting back in a post lunch revival and Arsenal finally emerging out as the winners.

1) Mesut Ozil will drive this Arsenal team –

Mesut Oezil of Arsenal during the match at Stadium of Light on September 14, 2013 in Sunderland, England – The German took just 11 minutes to show his class in the game

It is always a matter of interest to see how long a foreign player takes to settle down in EPL. Ozil took all but 11 minutes to announce his arrival on the English scene, beautifully controlling the ball in a first touch and then sliding it down very smoothly towards the onward rushing Giroud.

Ozil looked so comfortable with the ball, and when passing it around to his new teammates. It felt as if he has been playing for Arsenal for years. Ozil’s stepping up for corners and free kicks ahead of the regular Theo Walcott showcased the immense confidence Ozil has in his abilities.

It’s a clear indication of things to come for Arsenal this season – Ozil created 58 successful passes in Sunderland’s half – more than any player in a single EPL game this season.