Arsene Wenger: 'Mesut Ozil getting stronger in every game'

Arsene Wenger has insisted that Arsenal's record signing Mesut Ozil is improving with every game after benefiting from a spell out of the team.

The £42m arrival from Real Madrid scored one and assisted another in the Gunners' 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

Ozil has only played twice in the past six weeks because of injury, but Wenger has hinted that his time on the sidelines was a blessing in disguise and allowed the German to recover from his first experiences of a more physical league.

He told Sky Sports News: "He is getting stronger in every game now. He's refreshed.

"It's his first season over here and over Christmas he suffered a bit physically. Now he looks sharp again and refreshed, mentally sharp to play and that's why his performance is good. I believe that the first season is always about adaptation in the Premier League.

"What he has brought is fantastic technique, simplicity in his game, intelligence of passing. If you look at his numbers, his assists and his passes in the final third are very good. We want some more goals from him and I think that will come naturally."

Ozil has scored five goals in 24 appearances for Arsenal in the top flight this season.