Shkodran Mustafi Reveals What He Said to Ozil to Set Up Opening Goal in Derby Win

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi hailed the abilities of teammate and compatriot Mesut Ozil following his performance - as well as revealing the exchange between them that set up the opening goal. 

Mustafi's looping header beat Hugo Lloris as Ozil's free-kick delivery was pinpoint - with the 35th-minute goal pivotal in beating North London rivals Spurs. The centre-back put in a stellar defensive display and was arguably man of the match, despite most applauding Ozil's performance. 

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Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Mustafi said: "The thing is, as I was going up, [Mesut Ozil] was on the other side of the pitch and I said ‘Mesut, please. Go to the ball and bring it in’. I know his left foot and I know his deliveries and if you have players that can put the ball in like that, you go in with belief.

"That’s the most important thing when you go up for corners and free kicks" said Mustafi, "The belief that you can score and with the team that we have and the quality that we have, you go in and try to get your head on the ball."

However, Mustafi's goal didn't come without controversy as the German was in fact offside in what would have been a nigh on impossible decision to call. "Well, I was only happy that they didn’t blow the whistle" said Mustafi, "It happened to me against Chelsea, so this time I’m lucky to get away with it. This is football, we always get things against us and things for us at the end".

It was a crucial win for the Gunners, but also one that extended their run to 11 Premier League home wins in a row. The result went some way towards Arsenal recovering a disappointing start to the season, gaining three points on Spurs they now sit in 6th - just a single point off the top four.