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Arsenal Vs BATE Borisov: 5 things we learned – Mesut Ozil returns

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team's first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team's first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

1. Mesut Ozil watch

Mesut Ozil has been the topic of conversation throughout the week. He missed the first leg, not even travelling with the squad, and his future has been in major doubt with his style seemingly not suiting Unai Emery’s management. But he was thrust back into the starting line-up here, just after Emery threw down the gauntlet in his pre-match press conference.

Ozil played as he would have been expected to. While he did not completely shine, failing to produce that brilliant moment in a lead up to a goal, he still created two chances, played some lovely reverse passes and made some nice runs off the ball to engineer space for others, and smoothed out the Arsenal attack throughout.

He was not at his best. But there was a greater rhythm to the Gunners’ play than in recent weeks. The fact that it comes with Ozil’s restoration to the starting XI is not a coincidence.

Next. Arsenal Vs BATE Borisov: Player ratings. dark

The German was good, not great. But these are not the matches that he will be tested in and adjudged by. There is still a long way to go in the Ozil rehabilitation process.