Mesut Ozil lobs keeper with header (Video)

Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 lead against Stoke with a wonderful lobbed header over Stoke keeper Lee Grant.

Arsenal fought back from 1-0 down against Stoke at the Emirates to take a 2-1 lead early in the second half. Mesut Ozil provided the goal with a lovely header lobbed over Stoke keeper Lee Grant, who was rooted to the spot.

The goal came in slightly controversial circumstances, as Stoke left back Eirk Pieters was off the pitch after receiving treatment for an injury. Ozil made a run in exactly the area Pieters would have been defending had he been on the pitch.

The Gunners have been excellent since falling behind, however, and the goal, however controversial, was nothing less than they’ve deserved for dominating most of the match. They managed almost 70 percent possession in the first half, though they didn’t create many clear cut chances.

Arsenal will go top of the league if they can win by two goals, but Chelsea will reclaim first place with either a draw or a win against West Brom tomorrow. The Gunners have been in excellent form since losing their opening match of the season to Liverpool. They still haven’t lost since then, and the response against a good Stoke team is just another example of an increased fighting spirit among this squad this season.

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Stoke have looked threatening at times in this match. Marko Arnautovic in particular has caused some problems running behind the Arsenal defense. But on the whole Mark Hughes’s have struggled to contend with Arsenal’s dominance of the ball in midfield.

The Potters are trying to play on the break, but so far their defense has looked to vulnerable to make that a viable approach. Still, they should have chances before the end of the match given their quality in attack.