Arsenal 2-1 Everton: Arsene Wenger praises Mesut Ozil and wants more goals from set-pieces

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal need to be more clinical during set-pieces to consistently fight at the top. The Gunners moved to the top of the Premier League with goals from Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny in a difficult win over Everton on Saturday (24 October).

Both the Arsenal goals against the Toffees came via headers, but only Koscielny's was from a set-piece after Alexis Sanchez was brought down on the edge of the box, while his compatriot's was from open play through a delightful pinpoint cross from Mesut Ozil.

The French manager, who is confident that his team can challenge for the title this season, wants them to continue being clinical in set-pieces and believes the goal against Everton will give his team more belief in that department.

"We know to fight at the top we need some goals from set-pieces, between eight and 12 if you want to fight at the top. I believe on that front we are a bit short and the fact we could score today will give us belief we can score more," Wenger is quoted as saying on Arsenal's official site.

The Gunners boss reserved special praise for Ozil who was outstanding throughout the 90 minutes, constantly finding little pockets of space in Everton's defence. He is now the outright leader in assists this season, with seven, one ahead of Manchester City's David Silva.

The German World Cup winner also hit the crossbar after playing a delightful one-two with Giroud, while creating a number of chances for his team. Wenger has labelled Ozil an absolute team player and is confident that anyone who loves football will love to watch the gifted former Real Madrid midfielder.

"He is a top-class player, honestly. I think rather than talking about him I would rather watch him play again. If you love to watch football, you love to watch Ozil," the French manager gushed.

"It is a combination of quality of the touch, intelligence and team attitude. He is a real team player, I said that yesterday in the press conference. He puts his talent at the service of the team and he wants to help the team with everything he does. That makes him efficient."