Mesut Ozil Is the Architect as Arsenal Demolish Liverpool in Premier League

Three goals in eight first-half minutes blew Liverpool away and put Arsenal firmly on course to qualify for next season's Champions League. Although they didn’t quite match the five goals Liverpool put past them at Anfield last season, Arsenal will come away from this game feeling as though they have achieved some measure of retribution.

Key to that explosive period was Mesut Ozil. Arsenal’s record signing confounded his critics to deliver the goods in a big game, playing an integral role in dismantling a vulnerable Liverpool defence. 

He actually had a difficult start to the game. Several attempted flicks didn’t come off, and his decision-making was not as impeccable as it has been since January. Had that happened to Ozil a year or so ago, he might have let his head drop.

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Not this time. Ozil responded with a period of scintillating brilliance that left Liverpool rocking.

First, an outstanding cross-field pass found Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman, in turn, played in Hector Bellerin, who cut inside to curl the ball beyond the outstretched palm of Simon Mignolet.

Soon after, Ozil the creator became Ozil the goalscorer. When he was bundled to the ground by Mamadou Sakho, he did not sulk and appeal to the referee for a booking. Instead, he picked up the ball with the conviction of a man determined to punish the defender with his skill. He curled the resulting free-kick beyond Mignolet and into the far corner.

The fact he was prepared to take the shot on is indicative of his growing confidence. The German can sometimes lack certainty in front of goal, but there was real bravado about the way he dispatched this set piece.

Before the half was out, Alexis Sanchez made it 3-0 with a finish as emphatic as the scoreline. The game was effectively over.

In the second half, a Jordan Henderson penalty sparked brief hopes of a Liverpool comeback before Emre Can’s sending off extinguished those short-lived aspirations. Olivier Giroud underlined Arsenal’s superiority by bending a stoppage-time shot into the top corner, setting the seal on the victory. 

By that time, Ozil was long gone. He departed after 73 minutes to a well-earned standing ovation. This was not his best performance of the season, but it was clearly one of his most effective. Ozil’s talent is finally translating to tangible results on the field.

Arsene Wenger must have been pleased to have the chance to afford Ozil some rest. The Gunners are now nine points clear of Liverpool, and it will take a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Rodgers’ side to climb above Arsenal, who will now set their sights on finishing as close to leaders Chelsea as possible. There is also the intriguing possibility of another FA Cup final.

Wenger will want to keep Ozil as fresh as possible. The ingenious German will be vital to Arsenal’s hopes of finishing the season on a high.

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.