It was a good matchday for Arsenal as they put themselves three points clear in Group F thanks to a pair of goals from Jack Wilshere. On the night, however, one man in red again flattered to deceive. Mesut Ozil was beneath the standard expected of him as a player with a valuation of some €50 million despite one tidy assist.
He took a tame penalty, easily saved by Steve Mandanda, and missed another great opportunity to add to his modest Gunners goal tally.
The early-season excitement over the German has worn off and Arsenal fans are left with the reality of the player Real Madrid discarded. Tentative, occasionally indecisive, peripheral.
Meanwhile, at the Bernabeu, the man charged with replacing Ozil had a stormer. Isco was immense as los Blancos eased past Galatasaray. He was on hand to provide chances for his team-mates at will and scored a clever clinching goal for his side late on.
The Spain international has had his difficulties since his move from Malaga but Madrid were right to jettison Ozil to make way for him. Time will tell on Isco. He is a player of genuine quality and remains superior to the man who joined Arsenal - a club beneath Madrid's standing and ambition.
The former international has expressed thoughts that
the Lille goalkeeper is miles ahead of other contenders for the
country's best player in 2013
EXCLUSIVEBy Kolade Oni
Gateway United head coach Henry Nwosu says his vote will be for Vincent Enyeama in the race for who becomes Goal Nigeria Player of the Year 2013.
Nwosu, who made his national team debut as a teenager, was a pillar in the then Green Eagles' team.
Speaking with Goal, the Imo-born turned coach said Enyeama has been the leading light for Nigeria's senior national team and as such shouldn't be denied the accolade because he is not an outfield player.
The newly appointed head coach of Gateway United opined that Enyeama's consistency over the years has been very remarkable for the national team and his club in Europe.
“For me Enyeama is the best Nigeria player this year based on what he has achieved for the national team and his club. We don't have to put sentiments into our reasoning. Enyeama has been very superb for the Eagles and we don't need to say much regarding his exploits for his French club," Nwosu told Goal.
He also had kind words for Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi whom he stressed has also done his best to redeem his image in the Super Eagles' jersey.
Nwosu reasoned that the contributions of the former junior international has been flawless for the Eagles and he has implored Nigerians that are always criticising Mikel's form for the senior national team to sheath their swords and start heaping praises on the winner of the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year award in 2012.
Voting for the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year Award opens on December 2, 2013. Use the hashtag #GoalNigeriaPOTY in your Twitter discussions.
