Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott Give Arsenal Selection Dilemma After Aston Villa Win

On the evidence of Arsenal’s comprehensive 5-0 dismantling of Aston Villa on Sunday, midfielder Mesut Ozil and forward Theo Walcott must represent the most effective Plan B in English football.

In recent weeks, the fit-again pair have struggled to win a place in Arsenal’s best side.

However, when injury struck both Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, manager Arsene Wenger was finally able to give both players a Premier League start. They responded with excellent performances to emphasise their first-team credentials.

When it comes to selecting next week’s team for the north London derby, Wenger will face a struggle to cram in all the attacking talent available to him.

Ozil and Walcott had both started and scored in the FA Cup win at Brighton and managed to repeat the feat at home to Villa. To get two goals in two games from a pair of players still regaining fitness is a tremendous return.

Walcott’s game has always been about goals. He can barely mask his desire to play as a central striker—from the game’s opening minutes, he was making runs through the centre of the pitch in search of his first league goal in more than a year.

It took him until the second half to find the net, tucking away with typical aplomb after a neat pass from midfielder Santi Cazorla.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Two in two for Ozil is more of a surprise. The German has never been prolific but seems to have returned to the side with renewed confidence in front of goal. After a neat finish against Brighton, Ozil followed up with a calm finish across goalkeeper Brad Guzan to double his 2015 tally.

Just as in the reverse fixture at Villa Park, Ozil added an assist to his goal.

In fact, this was more than an assist—it was the moment of the match. When a long ball was launched in his direction, Ozil produced a sumptuous flick off the outside of his left boot to set forward Olivier Giroud away for the Gunners’ opening goal.

This was no fluke: Ozil repeated the trick in the second half to set up another raking counter-attack.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Out of the two returning players, Ozil is likelier to retain his place. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis have the speed to replicate Walcott’s threat, but Ozil’s creative instincts are a more unique gift.

Nevertheless, neither player is guaranteed a start. This is an Arsenal squad with fierce competition for places.

Wenger may have a selection dilemma ahead, but it’s the sort of problem all managers relish. He now has a full week of training to tinker with his options before deciding on his starting team for Spurs.

Whatever XI he picks, the wealth of talent at his disposal means he will have plenty of game-changing options on the bench if required.

Spurs beware: Arsenal are fully stocked with attacking ammunition.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.