If there was any lingering doubt about Arsène Wenger’s faith in Mesut Özil, his team selection for the victory over Brighton set the record straight. It wasn’t merely that Özil started – that was always likely – it was where he was deployed, as Arsenal’s central attacking playmaker.

That’s Özil’s default position, of course, but Wenger has often shifted him wide in a 4-3-3, the system Arsenal played successfully at Manchester City the previous weekend. The simplest way to accommodate Özil would have been in a left-sided role, but Wenger’s shift to a 4-2-3-1, primarily to play Özil in his best position, was significant.

Compared to last weekend, this was a very different task. Arsenal enjoyed 59% of possession at the Amex compared to just 35% at the Etihad, and dominated for long periods as a frustratingly passive Brighton side sat deep behind the ball. It was not the type of environment Özil thrives in: while undeniably a creative player, the German isn’t the type of playmaker who specialises in breaking down defences. He excels on the counterattack, either dribbling at speed and making good decisions, or going on clever off-the-ball runs.

Özil generally needs an initial, positive forward pass into his feet to make decisive contributions, and his goal was a good example, as Tomas Rosicky’s exquisite reverse pass was threaded through the defence, allowing Özil time to compose himself before shooting. He showed other glimpses of his talent. One combination with Aaron Ramsey, where the Welshman stepped over a pass to allow Özil to play a first-time ball into his path, penetrating Brighton’s midfield cordon, allowed Ramsey to shoot from a good position.

Another fine ball into Ramsey showed Özil can bisect defenders, and a clever touch to help a ball on to Giroud in the second half was an example of his understated, languid style, which works best when he’s surrounded by energetic, dynamic attackers.

However, Özil was overshadowed here by Rosicky, who buzzed around the pitch playing some absolutely sublime passes. There was a backheel deep inside his own half, a couple of outrageous scoops with the outside of his foot, and a succession of extravagant no-look passes, including one to Theo Walcott, in the buildup to the Czech’s volleyed goal. Such was the frequency of those “blind” passes, Rosicky would have fooled the Brighton defenders more successfully if he’d actually started looking the way he was passing.

Arsène Wenger remains cautious despite Arsenal becoming favourites to win the competition. Guardian

Rosicky’s manipulation of the ball evoked Ronnie O’Sullivan at times: one chip to Giroud, at the start of the second half, evaded the Frenchman only because the backspin on the ball was so extreme. Considering Rosicky’s man-of-the-match display came only a week after Santi Cazorla’s fine performance at the Etihad, it means Özil has timed his return somewhat poorly, as Wenger has two other playmakers in outstanding form. Still, the German will be afforded plenty of chances to impress.

The wider story, however, is confirmation that Wenger has become more of a tactician. On previous occasions Arsenal would have approached games against the Premier League champions, and then next a lowly Championship side, with a similar strategy.

Now Wenger is more willing to chop and change between matches – from a defensive-minded, reactive 4-3-3 to an attack-minded 4-2-3-1, and with so many attacking options, Arsenal can no longer be characterised as too predictable.