Arsenal momentarily returned to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a 2-0 home win over Bournemouth on Monday.
Mesut Ozil was the star of the show for the Gunners, providing an assist, scoring a goal and creating nine goalscoring chances for his teammates in a match that saw Petr Cech break the Premier League record for clean sheets with his 170th shutout.
The opening goal came in the 27th minute when Gabriel Paulista met Ozil's corner to head home his first goal for the club before the German playmaker added a second just after the hour-mark.
Ozil played a lovely ball to Olivier Giroud who produced an equally clever flick back into the path of the Gunners ace who expertly side-footed beyond Artur Boric.
It was a hard-fought win for Arsene Wenger's men who bounced back from Saturday's disappointment at Southampton while Eddie Howe's Cherries were again impressive but lacked a cutting edge to lose for the first time in seven outings.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Arsenal: 2 (Gabriel Paulista 27', Mesut Ozil 63')
AFC Bournemouth: 0
Emirates Stadium, London - 59,983
TALKING POINTS
- Arsenal recover swiftly from their loss at St Mary's to again enhance their title credentials. If they avoid any major slip-ups, will this finally be their season?
- Bournemouth not completely outclassed by the Gunners. Will they kick on in 2016 after a positive first half of their debut top flight campaign?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Arsenal host Newcastle United on Saturday as Bournemouth get set to meet Leicester City, who have temporarily been displaced by the Gunners.
TWITTER INSIGHT
That was hard work but a good way to end 2015. Well done @PetrCech on the clean sheets record! #AFCpic.twitter.com/fuWny8cR9z
— Aaron Ramsey (@aaronramsey) December 28, 2015Solid 2-0 win and a great performance from the team! Good to get the full 90 minutes pic.twitter.com/aOFCA7poTJ
— Calum Chambers (@CalumChambers95) December 28, 2015REACTION: Andrew Surman explains that #afcb were left frustrated following #ARSBOU: https://t.co/f7HnSIbmlzpic.twitter.com/zyzqmRNw3g
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) December 28, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Arsenal boss Wenger on Ozil:
"Overall he is the complete player. I've not seen many players of his quality. He's an exceptional player and you have to give me credit - I always defended that point of view even when people were sceptical.
"What's important is that he becomes as good as he can be, and he is on the way to doing that. At the moment he's absolutely fantastic."
Bournemouth's Howe on his side's display:
"I felt we were well in the game in the first half," explained Howe.
"We started very brightly, but after we conceded there was a slight wobble up until half time.
"Then their second goal was a goal of great quality and that has ended the game for us."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
9 - Since Aug 2004, only 7 players have created more chances in a single match than the 9 @MesutOzil1088 laid on for team-mates today. Craft
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 2015170 - @PetrCech has now kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in @premierleague history. Congrats.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 201516 - Mesut Ozil has now assisted 16 goals in the Premier League this season, eight more than any other player. Maestro.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 2015