Arsenal star Mesut Ozil scored his first goal of the season in the 4-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates stadium on Monday.
Ozil put on an impressive display for the Gunners in the teams first game after their warm-weather camp in Dubai.
Mikel Arteta has shown faith in Ozil where former manager Unai Emery did not.
READ: The Secret Life Of Arsenal Star Mesut Ozil
Emery left Ozil out of his plans for much of the season.
Arteta meanwhile, made the playmaker of Turkish origin an important member of the team again.
Heading into the Newcastle clash the Spanish manager backed his star man and revealed that he is reaching a level ‘very close’ to what he expects from him.
“The team cannot have the right structure to support him if he doesn’t do some of those non-negotiables,” Arteta said, speaking to Sky Sports.
“If he does them, then the team can afford to have someone like him to make the difference.
“In some moments, he has come very close to what I would like to see from him on the pitch.”
Arteta also revealed that Ozil has been unlucky in not scoring more goals or providing more assists.
“He has been unlucky with some of the times that he has put people through and they have not scored,” he added.
“Things like that would have made stats a little bit different.
“But you don’t go from where he was to where he can be in five weeks, I’m sorry. Even when you really want to do it, it doesn’t always go that way.
“You have to be so constant. But he is trying so hard and he is very willing.”
Ozil did actually setup four key chances against Newcastle – more than any other player – but his teammates failed to convert.
In total Ozil has one goal and two assists in all competitions for the Gunners this season.
Arsenal take on Olympiacos next on Thursday in the Europa League.
