Arsenal 2 Bournemouth 0 analysis: Mesut Ozil inspirational as Petr Cech breaks Premier League clean sheet record

The Gunners moved to the top of the league with the victory

Mesut Ozil scores the Gunners second of the game (Getty Images)

STAR PLAYER

Mesut Ozil: Arsenal's most influential player this season produced another masterclass, providing the corner that Gabriel nodded home for the opener before showing a exquisite touch when combining with Olivier Giroud to finish a dazzling second. The German playmaker continues to track back in defence too, showing a greater appetite to help his team-mates when they do not have the ball.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

For comedy value, Per Mertesacker's miss from point-blank range was worth a slice of the admission price alone. An attempt by Gabriel struck the left post and the ball rebounded on to the head of an unwitting Mertesacker who managed to nod wide before falling flat on his back, clasping his hands to his head in embarrassment.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Arsene Wenger made his substitutes with the game won at 2-0, bringing on Joel Campbell to offer fresh legs in attack and replacing Kieran Gibbs with Nacho Monreal. Bournemouth pair Eunan O'Kane and Glenn Murray made little impact off the bench.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

A frustrating performance from Theo Walcott, whose wastefulness in front of goal made heavy weather of a fixture Arsenal could have had sown up by half-time. The 26-year-old finds the right positions and his pace remains as frightening as ever, but his finishing still needs work and he is guilty of fading in and out of games.

RECORD BREAKER

Petr Cech totalled his 170th Premier League clean sheet in the win, one more than David James to set a new Premier League record.

WHO'S UP NEXT

Arsenal v Newcastle (Barclays Premier League, Saturday January 2)

Leicester v Bournemouth (Barclays Premier League, Saturday January)

PA