Mesut Ozil Stars as Arsenal Secure 1st Premier League Win

It feels as if Arsenal’s season has finally begun. After a disappointing start that saw the Gunners fail to win either of their first two Premier League games, Arsene Wenger’s men managed to secure a first victory of 2016/17 on Saturday.

With key players such as Mesut Ozil returning and a couple of new signings imminent, Arsenal could finally start to build some momentum.

Truth be told, they simply weren’t ready for the start of the season. That’s partly because of the variety of international competitions that were held this summer.

UEFA Euro 2016 and the Copa America did significant damage to Wenger’s pre-season plans, especially as France, Germany and Wales all reached the final four of the Euros. From a fitness perspective, that left Arsenal’s squad playing catch-up.

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However, there’s also the question of Arsenal’s transfer business to take into account. The transfer deadline may not be until Wednesday, but Wenger would surely admit he should have worked harder to ensure his squad was complete before the season kicked off.

As it was, the Gunners began the campaign without two key additions at centre-half and centre-forward. The manner of their performances in the opening two games, against Liverpool and Leicester City, made the deficiencies in the squad painfully clear.

Fortunately, that situation is about to be remedied.

After the win over Watford, Wenger admitted to reporters that deals for Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez were imminent: "I think they should go through, both of them. They had medicals. We have to finish the paperwork and I don’t know exactly when we will announce it but look, I think it could be announced at the beginning of the week."

The positive transfer news has lifted the mood around the club. Perhaps it even influenced the way the players were feeling.

Against Watford, they came out of the blocks looking like a team with renewed belief. The Gunners raced into a 3-0 first-half lead that ultimately proved enough to win them the game. Although Watford produced a second-half fightback as Arsenal tired, they could only redress the score to 3-1. 

Afterward, Wenger spoke about the quality of the performance in his press conference:

"

I think overall the performance was a strong one. Very fluent and a massive first half. We were 3-0 up at half-time and in the second half we still created many chances but we missed something in the final ball, like we did at Leicester. We are not capable in the end to maintain completely for 90 minutes exactly the same intensity physically, but overall it’s a very encouraging performance and a good win.

"

Key to the improved showing was a reshaped midfield. For the first time, Wenger paired Santi Cazorla with new boy Granit Xhaka. Ahead of them, Ozil was able to start a game for the first time this season.

The effect was transformative.

Suddenly, Arsenal had three ball-playing midfielders in the side. For much of last season, it seemed that if you shut down Ozil, you could shut down the Gunners.

However, that’s no longer the case. With Cazorla and Xhaka stationed behind the German, the Gunners’ threat is much more varied. If Ozil is crowded out in the No. 10 role, Xhaka and Cazorla are both capable of playing penetrative passes from deep.

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Wenger spoke highly of Xhaka’s contribution, telling reporters: "Xhaka has a good touch on the game. He is calm, his passing is effective, he has a left foot as well so he can find as well the opposite side sometimes. He’s good on the ball and he wants the ball and he’s shown physical strength in his locker and he’s adapted very quickly."

The fact Xhaka is a new arrival means he was always likely to garner significant attention.

However, that should not be allowed to diminish or overshadow Ozil’s contribution—Arsenal’s record signing was particularly instrumental on Saturday. It was his cross from the right that saw Alexis Sanchez barged into, enabling Cazorla to convert the spot-kick that gave the Gunners the lead.

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The German was involved in the buildup to the second goal too. His pass found Hector Bellerin on the overlap, and he picked out Theo Walcott. The Englishman’s cross was then bundled home by Alexis. Sebastian Prodl did manage to hack the ball away before it hit the net, but crucially not before it crossed the line.

It was Ozil himself who added Arsenal’s third. It was an atypical contribution, as he darted into the penalty box to meet Alexis’ cross.

Wenger was delighted, saying, per Simon Burnton of the Guardian: "Ozil was excellent, especially in the first half. In the second half we dropped physically, but of course we need him. I think what we have seen from him today is what we want of him, assists but also to score goals. That’s what he needed to add to his game. ... Now Mesut is nearly ready."

One swallow does not make a summer—and one goal does not make Ozil a predator. He’ll need to deliver more consistently if he is to answer Wenger’s challenge.

However, his mere presence in the starting XI seemed to bring about an improvement in Arsenal. Fans will now spend the forthcoming international break praying that he, along with the rest of the Gunners' contingent, returns from national duty healthy.

Mustafi will join Ozil with the Germany squad, but new striker Lucas will report to London Colney for training. After this encouraging performance, fans will be wondering how the Spaniard will fit in among the rest of Arsenal’s attacking talents.

Wenger has a puzzle on his hands as to how best to deploy his forward line. 

One thing is certain: Whichever players Wenger picks, Ozil will be a part of the team. The difference in Arsenal with and without him is clear. Against Watford, the German underlined his importance to the side. This season, as last, the team will be built in his image.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout 2016/17. Follow him on Twitter here.