Mesut Ozil inspired Arsenal to reclaim top spot in the Premier League, at least for 24 hours, as they won their first league meeting with Bournemouth. After a tense opening, Ozil’s corner was met with a firm header by defender Gabriel for his first goal in English football. Ozil made it 2-0 after the break from a slick one-two with Olivier Giroud. Bournemouth showed plenty of spirit, but could not find their way through as Arsenal closed out the victory. With Leicester not playing until Tuesday, Arsenal leapfrog them into top spot by one point. Bournemouth, meanwhile, slip to 16th and remain only three points from danger as their six-match unbeaten run came to an end.

If Arsene Wenger wanted a reaction from his squad, having rung the changes following Boxing Day’s 4-0 mauling at Southampton, it took a while in coming. But all it needed was the first goal just before the half-hour to kick the hosts, and their familiar fluent passing game, into gear. All four of those Arsenal newcomers played their part as Gabriel opened his goalscoring account. Kieran Gibbs had his hands full with the dangerous Matt Ritchie, Calum Chambers brushed off rumours of a January loan return to Southampton with an assured midfield display, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain threatened with his pace when Arsenal broke, going close to adding a third goal late on.

Although Bournemouth had overcome a 2-0 deficit to draw 3-3 with Everton in an enthralling game last month, such a comeback never looked on the cards here once Ozil had unlocked them. Gunners keeper Petr Cech was tested more than his opposite number Artur Boruc early on, as Bournemouth’s Harry Arter opened up the defence with some through balls to lone striker Joshua King, who was twice denied by Cech to keep the game goalless. But as the game went on, even when the Cherries found some space in the final third, there was no way past the Czech goalkeeper, who kept out Matt Ritchie’s 30-yard drive and celebrated his 170th top-flight clean sheet to set a new Premier League record. Arsenal’s title-winning sides of the past were built on solid goalkeeping, from Bob Wilson and John Lukic to David Seaman and Jens Lehmann. The purchase of Cech from Chelsea in the summer could turn out to be the key to a first title for 12 years.

Arsenal missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as they were thrashed by Southampton at St Mary’s. Saints full-back Cuco Martina marked his first league start with a stunning goal, curling in from 30 yards out. Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott missed free headers, before Shane Long finished from close range and Jose Fonte headed in the third. Striker Long struck the post with three minutes remaining, but managed to add a fourth through the legs of Petr Cech. It could have been even worse for the visitors. Virgil van Dijk had a header ruled out for offside, while Dusan Tadic’s dipping strike was pushed away by Cech.

Arsenal had lost just one of their previous 11 league games and recorded an impressive victory over Manchester City on Monday but Arsene Wenger’s side could not back that performance up with victory on the south coast. Having seen leaders Leicester beaten by Liverpool earlier in the day, the Gunners would have gone top with a win but were resoundingly beaten by a rampant Southampton side. Playmaker Mesut Ozil – who has received plenty of plaudits for his impressive performances this season – was kept quiet by the Southampton midfield, while former Saint Walcott posed little threat, attempting only 20 passes before being substituted.

The pressure was starting to grow on Southampton boss Ronald Koeman after five winless games left them just four points above the relegation zone. But they were marshalled brilliantly in the middle of the park by the superb Victor Wanyama, who made a match-high six tackles and 10 interceptions, often bullying the opposition players. The opening goal was stunning. There seemed to be no danger when defender Per Mertesacker headed the ball away, and Martina steadied himself before unleashing an outside-of-the-foot drive which started wide of the post before swerving into the net. There was a hint of controversy in it though, as Long and Laurent Koscielny came together in the build-up, leaving the Frenchman on the ground, allowing Long to stride forward unchallenged and stroke in from Sadio Mane’s pass. Defender Fonte added a bullet header and Long grabbed his second to complete a comprehensive victory for Southampton who managed their first clean sheet in six games.

Luckily Arsenal remain in 2nd place on 26 points, 2 behind Leicester City but just a point above Manchester City.

Arsenal moved to within two points of surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City with victory over Manchester City at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners – without a title triumph since 2004 – showed the sort of impressive drive, cutting edge and resilience that will lead manager Arsene Wenger to believe Arsenal can finally end that barren spell. City dominated early possession but Kevin de Bruyne wasted a good chance and Theo Walcott punished the visitors with a right-foot finish from 20 yards in the 33rd minute. Eliaquim Mangala’s dreadful clearance allowed Mesut Ozil’s 15th assist of the season as he set up Olivier Giroud for an angled finish in first-half stoppage time. Yaya Toure’s clever shot from outside the area set up a tense finale which saw both Toure and substitute Wilfried Bony waste chances to equalise.

Wenger’s side have often been accused of having a soft centre when the pressure is on – but here, faced with the team many believe will still emerge as their closes title rivals, they showed a ruthless streak. City may have dominated possession and territory for the first half hour but it was Arsenal who made it count at the business end. Their tally for the opening 45 minutes read two shots on target and two goals. For a manager who prides himself on efficiency, Wenger will have been delighted. The Gunners were impressive at the back too, where goalkeeper Petr Cech was the epitome of safe handling and security, proving once more what a significant signing he has been. Arsenal’s defenders were in the mood too, with two crunching tackles from full-back Nacho Monreal drawing a high-five from fellow defender Per Mertesacker.

For a player often criticised for his lack of end product, Walcott looks to be evolving into the complete striker at the age of 26. Walcott’s goal, wonderfully accomplished as he turned inside before curling a perfect finish beyond the stretching City keeper Joe Hart, was his 13th in his past 17 league appearances and delivered further evidence of his development into a consistent and reliable goalscorer. He, and indeed Arsenal, are receiving plenty of help from the Premier League’s current creator supreme Ozil, who had a hand in both goals and received a standing ovation when he was replaced late on. Add in Giroud’s golden sequence of 12 goals in his past 14 matches in all competitions, and Arsenal will believe they possess the potency to carry them all the way. Aside from a dominant opening half and a late rally after Toure’s goal, this was another poor performance from Manuel Pellegrini’s side. City were too often laboured and the sight of captain Vincent Kompany watching forlornly from the stands pointed to where many of the problems lie. Arsenal now have 36 points after 17 games and are just 2 points behind Leicester City.