Wenger hails Ozil's return to form in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over West Ham

Arsene Wenger believes that Mesut Ozil is "back physically" after the Arsenal star led his side to a 3-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday night (5 April). He also praised Mohamed Elneny after the Egypt international started ahead of Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park.

Arsenal had a quiet opening half but Ozil came to the rescue after half-time to give his side the lead in the 58<sup>th minute, before assisting Theo Walcott for the second goal of the game. Olivier Giroud scored a spectacular third to wrap up the points.

"I feel that he is back physically, with focus," Wenger said when asked about the performance of Ozil.

"He felt, I think I know him quite well, I felt he had been hit hard by us going out in the Champions League and it took him some time to recover from that mentally. I feel for a few weeks now in training that he is really focused again and that comes out in the game.

"We live in a world of extremes. We are always praised maybe more than we deserve it when it goes well, and punished more than we deserve it when it doesn't go well. But that's the whole world."

Wenger also hailed the importance of Elneny in midfield despite the Egypt international making only his seventh starting appearance in the Premier League.

"He gives us fluency and Elneny is a continuity player who is a generous player and wants to help the team," Wenger said. "His attitude is always to help the team and he is always available."

Wenger backed his side to qualify for the Champions League as the win over West Ham left Arsenal only fourth points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table, after Pep Guardiola's side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night.

"It's possible, of course," he said. "We have a game in hand on City, we have players back from injury, we had a strong bench tonight. We have done it before, in more difficult conditions, and we have to try to do it again, yes."