Tuesday 29 December 2015 07:11, UK
Arsene Wenger has labelled Mesut Ozil as the "complete player" and compared him to Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp.
Ozil produced his 16th assist of the season when he crossed for Gabriel to open the scoring in the first half in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bournemouth before adding a superb second after the interval.
The win moved Wenger's side top of the Premier League, for 24 hours at least, and, when asked if Ozil is currently the best player in the division, Wenger replied: "Look at the numbers on the assists and they speak for him.
"Yes, he reminds me of Bergkamp. Bergkamp was more of a goalscorer than him and Ozil is more about assists, but now Ozil is becoming more of a goalscorer, so they are really comparable.
"I have seen a few good games from Ozil. What is important is that he is convincing everyone that he is not just a very talented player, but someone who is ready to work very hard for the team.
"Overall he is the complete player. I've not seen many players of his quality. He is an exceptional player and you have to give me credit - I always defended that point of view even when people were sceptical.
"What's important is that he becomes as good as he can be, and he is on the way to doing that. At the moment he is absolutely fantastic.
"Mesut was the focal point of our team against Bournemouth because we had a new midfield again. He was the guy who gave reassurance with his technical security and fluidity. He gives the team confidence."
Wenger hailed his side's "mental strength" against Bournemouth and thinks they answered a few questions following their heavy Boxing Day defeat at Southampton, but is not placing too much importance on climbing top of the table for now.
"The games come thick and fast and the questions as well so it was important we responded today with first of all the three points and then I think after that, after a hesitant start, a very convincing performance," he said.
"You could see that some legs were a bit heavy but overall we did what we wanted to do. I said many times this team has a great mental response and we have shown that many times this season."
He added: "We want to be in front but that's not the most important for me at the moment.
"One point in front or one point behind, it is to be up there and to fight for it and after a big disappointment have the mental strength to respond right away and not feel sorry for yourself and that's what we did and that's very positive for the future of the team."
The Arsenal boss also congratulated Petr Cech as he broke the Premier League record for clean sheets, securing his 170th shutout against Bournemouth.
"Alone a goalkeeper cannot achieve something like that but a record is never coincidence because it shows fantastic consistency and there are many goalkeepers in the world who play many games who never achieve that so that means he's just better," Wenger said.
"So congratulations and credit to him and I hope it gives him the hunger to do more."