Ahead of this afternoon's North London derby, much of the excitement for Arsenal fans was centred on the front three Arsene Wenger had selected.
In Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal had the potential to unnerve a Spurs side that was sitting four points ahead of their rivals before kick-off - and unnerve them they did.
From the off, Arsenal were moving with the sort of fluidity that tends to draw the inevitable comparisons between this and Wenger's teams of old.
By half-time, they had established a 2-0 lead, and, while Spurs still appeared menacing at times, Arsenal's dominance suggested that if the visitors did pull one back, they would exact a quick response in kind.
'At it' in the most thrilling sense of the word, the effect of their attacking trio enabled the much-maligned Mesut Ozil a platform on which to excel.
Setting up Shkodran Mustafi's opener with a well-weighted free, Ozil's level of industry was what perhaps set his efforts apart today - he seemed to be everywhere.
With Arsenal now within a point of Spurs, Ozil's far more rounded contribution did not go unnoticed.
Dele Alli has given Ozil a lesson in anonymity this half
— Jonathan Northcroft (@JNorthcroft) November 18, 2017
Ozil has been great. Pounding up and down like Bryan Robson
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) November 18, 2017
Ozil playing like a prime Roy Keane, tears in my eyes
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) November 18, 2017
Really isn't anything more satisfying than witnessing a Mesut Ozil masterclass.
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) November 18, 2017
He’s a class act. Just because he doesn’t charge around like a headless chicken he’s seen as lacking commitment. Utter tosh. https://t.co/9LYk531l2H
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) November 18, 2017
Ozil has been superb today. Worked non-stop for the team. He's been everywhere.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) November 18, 2017
Ozil beginning to purr. #AFCvTHFC
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 18, 2017
Mesut Ozil man of the match pour Gary Neville et Sky. Choix amplement justifie par une performance exceptionnelle de l'Allemand.
— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) November 18, 2017
A standing ovation as Mesut Ozil leaves the pitch. He's had a top class game 👏
— COPA90 (@Copa90) November 18, 2017
Ozil, who has been outstanding, replaced by Iwobi.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) November 18, 2017
Named man of the match in recognition of his efforts, some have begun speculating that the closeness of the transfer window - and a potential reunion with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United - may have influenced Ozil's uncharacteristic exuberance today however.
Mesut Ozil has run 12km this afternoon - or 3.6% of the way to Manchester
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) November 18, 2017
