"People
don't look at the quality we have and just want to buy because they feel fear
but I maintain what I said before we will only add super quality to our squad
if we can do it or nothing”. Arsene Wenger
There was a time when these words from one of the most
experienced coaches in the Premier League did not prove satisfactory to the
millions of gunner fans, who were frustrated by Arsenal’s lack of ambition in
this summer transfer window. With arch rivals Tottenham, big money spenders
Chelsea and City sealing deals one after another, it was understandable when a bunch
of arsenal fans went to the extent of writing a plea to the management to look
into matters.
But one man, adamant as ever, not willing to compromise on a
players’ quality came up with the best of retorts with a bonanza signing for
the summer- the Real Madrid number 10 and the German international first choice
playmaker, Mesut Ozil. Since the days of Fabregas had ended at Arsenal, Wenger
would be proud to have the prodigal playmaker in his squad who can provide
those killer passes that would fetch him important goals.
“I have said throughout the summer that we have been working
hard to bring in top quality players to this football club. This has involved
many, many people across the club and I have always had the full support of the
club in making decisions on the football side.”
Eventhough Wenger’s priority would have been an addition in
the striking department alongside
Giroud, bringing in Ozil would definitely bolster the Arsenal squad. Much
acclaimed for the midfield quality with the likes of Cazorla, Wilshere, Arteta,
Rosicky and the rejuvenated Ramsey, Arsenal could already have been argued to
have one of the best midfield forces in England. Now with Ozil moving in,
no-doubt the midfield is going to get even more dangerous, probably one which
Wenger would leverage to implement his romantic concept of beautiful football.
Let us look into how Arsenal’s attacking lineup is going to
look like with the playmaker added to the equation.
1. Ozil on the Left wing as a Left Attacking Midfielder (4-1-4-1)
Ozil’s strengths can be clearly attributed to his creativity
and dribbling. Alongside the Spanish maestro Cazorla Ozil could find himself in
the left center attacking midfield, play the role of an orchestrator and feed
the likes of Giroud and Cazorla. This is quite similar to the days with
Bergkamp having Pires on his left and Henry upfront. The trio of Wilshere,
Cazorla and Ozil will be a threat any defensive setup would fear to handle. One
could easily visualize a lot of link up plays on the field with Wenger having
more options in the diligent Ramsey and creative Rosicky on the bench. Podolski
also would be a safe bet on the wings and could replace either of Cazorla or
Ozil when required. This formation setup would eventually help Wenger emulate a
neat and clean passing gameplay with 5 midfielders maneuvering the ball across
the park. Could be a new version of Tiki-Taka in the making!
2. Ozil in the right flank (4-4-2)
This formation would have to force Walcott upfront as a
striker with Giroud. Wenger has always lauded Walcott’s striker instincts. "I
always said that he will be a striker so we are on the same wavelength there. You
feel it or you don't. He has the qualities to play there."
With no major additions in the striking department, this formation
looks likely against teams that maintain a high-defense line and with so much
of creativity in the midfield it would become easy for Walcott to sprint for
those Bolt-runs and tap the ball into the goal. Ramsey could start in this
framework as the defensive work rate would be higher as the midfielders are
spread to the flanks resulting in lots of box-to-box spaces. Ozil has often
played in the right attacking midfield at Real Madrid and this formation would
give him space, which has proved to be the key fuel to his engine. Ozil prefers
space and this formation would free him from the presence of defenders near the
hole. In this role, Ozil would be a sole attacker with the game being dictated
in the centre of the pitch and moves made majorly through the flanks.
3. Ozil in the hole (4-2-3-1)
This has been Ozil’s usual position in the Real Madrid squad
and he is probably the best-suited here. This formation can also utilize the
shooting skills of Podolski on the left wing and the presence of Walcott on the
right flank. Cazorla can be brought in instead of Ozil if need be and so can
Arteta and Rosicky replace the other midfielders. In this position, Ozil would
be asked to play upfront performing minimal defensive work, but feeding the
incisive passes which he is best at.
Independent of where he plays, Mesut Ozil pumps in
creativity and footballing sense in the already powerful midfield that Arsenal
can be proud of. With his addition, Wenger will have more options in the
midfield in terms of strategic flexibility and bench strength and he is more
that excited to have a world class star like Ozil in the squad.
“Mesut is a top quality footballer who will be a fantastic
addition to our talented squad. We are all looking forward to him joining up
with us after his international matches with Germany and working with us as an
Arsenal player."
The feeling is definitely mutual when Ozil had to say:
"I am thrilled to be joining a club of the stature of
Arsenal and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League. It will be
great for my own personal development as a player and I am particularly looking
forward to working with Arsene Wenger.”
In the coming years, the €50m man should definitely
ameliorate the chances of much-awaited silverware for Arsenal and should
relieve the gunner fans from any more frustration. But how and when, only time
will tell!
