On transfer deadline day, in what many are calling the signing of the summer, Arsenal smashed their transfer record to sign Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. However, will Ozil make Arsenal a title contender?
The German playmaker joins the Gunners for £42.5m to the disappointment of many people associated with Madrid. It was rumoured that Madrid fans were chanting “don’t sell Ozil” at the unveiling of Gareth Bale which shows how important Arsenal’s new man was to the Spanish giants. Madrid’s second best player, according to ex-Gunner Cesc Fabregas (FC Barcelona), cited Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti lack of faith in him as the reason he has decided to move to the Premier League.
Arsenal fans had been calling out all summer for Arsene Wenger to spend some money in the transfer market and the Frenchman certainly did that on deadline day. Mesut Ozil fits the bill of the superstar signing all Gunners fans were dreaming of and has created an air of optimism around the club. Fans’ frustration at the Emirates came to a head in the Premier League opening weekend loss to Aston Villa with many blaming lack of investment for the defeat however the acquisition of Ozil will now ensure all supporters are fully behind the team which will be a huge boost for the club.
Along with the fans, Ozil’s new Arsenal teammates will be thrilled to welcome such a high quality player into the dressing room and the German’s arrival could improve the performances of others around him. While Ozil’s transfer fee is very large, a big proportion of it will be offset by shirt sales with Arsenal’s online store reporting that shirt sales have been an incredible 12 times higher since the German signed for the club, further demonstrating the good feeling among Arsenal supporters.
Mesut Ozil scored 19 goals in 105 appearances for Real Madrid, however it was the playmaker’s number of assists and ability to pick out a key pass that has him recognised as one of the world’s best players. Ozil is likely to play in the hole behind the striker or in a wide position for Arsenal where he will roam around looking for space to get on the ball and then create an opportunity. The partnership and link up play between Ozil and Santi Cazorla is something Arsenal fans can look forward to as both are technically gifted and clever footballers. Although Ozil will add a lot of creativity to the team, it is not really an area in which Arsenal needed to strengthen. A lot of Arsenal’s problems come from not having a physical presence in midfield with Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky all creators rather than destroyers. The lack of physical, defensive minded players can often lead to Arsenal being exposed on the counter attack and by set pieces. Time will tell whether Arsene Wenger would have been wiser to spend money on a defensive midfielder or centre half rather than strengthening what many consider Arsenal’s best area of the team.
Arsenal fans will now be hoping to forget about trying to secure a top four place and instead challenge Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City for the Premier League title. Arsenal finished last season 15 points behind winners Manchester United last season and, although the champions have struggled in the transfer market, that is a very big points difference to make up. I do believe Arsenal will be much closer to Manchester United this season due to the signing of Mesut Ozil and the positive effect it will have on the team and the supporters. With last season’s top three all going into the 2013/14 season with new managers it looks like Mr. Wenger has picked the perfect time to break the club’s transfer record and mount a serious title challenge.
