Will Jones
The Mesut Ozil transfer can not only be seen as a brilliant signing but could also be regarded as a rejuvenation of Arsenal’s transfer policy when it comes to big name deals.
The Arsenal board actually managed to pull their finger out their enormous wallets on this occasion to secure the signature of one of Europe hottest talents after missing the boat on so many instances in the past. This time the signing was made and it can be suggested that this is the beginning of something new, as has been promised so many times in the past, but the cynic could argue that perhaps the signing was down to luck and circumstance rather that transfer business acumen.
It can most definitely be suggested that Ozil will fit seamlessly into Arsenal’s brand of football. The miniature German has technique, vision and ability to create numerous scoring chances in almost any scenario. The 24-year-old has talent which could be seen from his early performances in the Germany youth set up before he finally tore on to the world stage at the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships. Furthermore, the Real Madrid dressing room are genuinely sad to see him go.
The former Real Madrid man’s transfer has come at a big price, but while the fee is long overdue for Arsenal his international manager’s reaction to the sale is a testament to the midfielder’s ability. “Incomprehensible” said Joachim Low when he found out, however, what is found to be even more astounding is the pure statistical facts behind Ozil’s performances in the last few seasons that have seen him surpass some of Europe’s finest players on paper.
It may be a few years too late but Mesut Ozil should offer the creative spark that the E******s has not seen since the club sold Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and it was the man himself who told reporters how surprised he was that the German had been sold. Whilst Cesc revealed that he thought the international was the second best player in the Bernabeu dressing room behind Ronaldo, the Portuguese talisman among others in Madrid voiced his frustration; and it is no surprise either, as the facts speak for themselves.
In all competitions the Germany international racked up 72 assists between 2008-2013, four more than the Balon D’Or winner Lionel Messi. Furthermore, Ozil created more chances than any other player in Europe with figures that easily surpass the likes of Chelsea’s Juan Mata and Barcelona’s Xavi in the same time period.
The signing will have its critics however (Ozil is known as Germany’s most beautiful but frail flower). Another 5ft something technically gifted midfielder will do very little to bolster a largely criticised midfield set up which is already littered with players of the same vein. However for the following reasons the transfer can to be considered a breakthrough in the club’s negotiational-know-how and transfer policy.
The Mesut Ozil transfer could represent yet another proposed transition of Arsenal finally catching up with the rest of Europe’s elite. Firstly, in terms of completing big money transfers they have at least stated their intent to once again become serious challengers, while secondly, the club completed the transfer in exactly the way deadline day and marquee singings should be done.
Reports have suggested that the German playmaker visited Arsenal’s London Colney training ground a whole week before the transfer was announced in order to complete the first part of a medical and where he also posed for pictures with the home kit. Here the club played their hand perfectly which a) secured the transfer of Ozil b) did not alarm any of Europe’s big spenders and c) made sure Bale left for Spain as it is more than conceivable that had the Welshman’s deal to the Bernabeu fallen though, the former Werder Bremen star would not have been allowed to leave as Tottenham may have attempted to block the deal by forcing Bale to stay.
The successful attempt to hide the deal from rivals Tottenham, who were in the process of relieving themselves of Bale and procuring new talent is yet another minor victory that will most hopefully see the club back on the right path to making more inspired signings like this one. Mainly, any given moment where a dangerously growing Tottenham side can be kept in the dark about anything is always satisfying; but it is made even sweeter by the fact Daniel Levy apparently called Real Madrid President Florentino Perez in order to persuade him to call off the transfer. Shrewd Mr. Levy, very shrewd indeed.
This extra effort to shroud the deal in secrecy can most definitely be seen as a learning curve for Arsenal’s boardroom who should be quite frankly embarrassed after missing out on Gonzalo Higuain and making such a derisory and flamboyantly ridiculous bid for Luis Suarez. Still, it must be noted that the squad is still weak in terms of depth and must be added to in January.
Arsene Wenger apparently tried to sign Ozil seven years ago before he signed for Werder Bremen from Schalke, where he was brought up with his Turkish immigrant family. Arsene Wenger can now finally lift a wry smile after he reportedly called the midfielder and spoke to him in his native German in order to secure his biggest signing to date adding to the debate that Arsene Wenger is still one of the best men in the business even though results don’t show it.
Finally, Mesut Ozil is the signing Arsenal has been waiting for. He might not be able to end the trophy drought on his own but I sincerely hope he can prove to be the catalyst that will lift the quality of the overall squad and see Arsenal competing for honours once again. Most importantly the board finally pulled off a major coup, however, the cynic in me says Arsenal were a little more than fortunate that the Real Madrid president was so desperate to sign Gareth Bale as had it not been for him, Arsenal may never have got their man.
