CONFIRMED: Arsenal sign Mesut Özil
It’s official, Arsenal have smashed their transfer record and signed Mesut Özil from Real Madrid in a deal worth £42.3 million. Özil is expected to sign a five-year deal worth £130,000 per week making him the current highest earner at the club. The move shatters the Arsenal record transfer by three fold and brings in the most talented CAM in Europe.
Reports suggest Arsenal agreed a fee with R. Madrid on Sunday before moving towards finalizing terms with Özil early Monday morning. Özil then had a medical in Germany before joining the German national team for international duty. It is expected Özil will wear the Arsenal #11 shirt.
With the window closing and Arsenal supporters were worried that the club would be left without any significant signings, the rumour mill picked up almost the minute the North London Derby was over. From his post-match interview Wenger suggested the club would be doing something special and the signing of the German international is certainly something special.
Mesut Özil is one of the finest midfielders in the world and is considered to be one of the best #10s for his ability to unlock defenses and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Özil has provided 94 assists in the last three seasons for both R. Madrid and Germany, which is more than both Iniesta and Xavi combined. One Cesc Fabregas on the other hand has created (only!) 49 assists for both country and club. In addition to his ability to create goal-scoring opportunities, Özil has also scored 40 goals for both club and country since joining R. Madrid, a fantastic return to go along with his staggering number of assists.
Özil’s also has a fantastic passing range and averaged close to 3 key passes per game last season which was almost double more than the next best passer on the team (X. Alonso). Özil has the ability to seamless drift from a deep lying position in midfield to playing off the shoulder of a #9 and the quickness with which he passes makes it extremely difficult to mark him. In addition, Özil is great crosser of the ball and can also play on the right wing if needed.
When Arsenal finished the 2012/13 season with a gritty win at Newcastle, it was clear Arsenal would be looking to spend big one two areas in the summer transfer window; defensive midfield & striker. So you could forgive Arsenal fans (and football pundits) for wondering why Arsenal would instead go big on an attacking midfielder. However once you dig into the way Arsenal operates tactically, it was clear that Arsenal’s biggest issue last season was not a defensive one but instead needing more creativity from an attacking sense. Arsenal managed to score one goal or less in close to 60% of EPL games played last season. In addition, Arsenal (who historically rank among the best at creating goal scoring chances) ranked below Everton in clear cut goal scoring chances created last season; that would be ranking below a Moyes managed Everton.
Arsenal have needed a pure #10 ever since the departure of Cesc Fabregas and while Santi Cazorla. Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey have all shown flashes of brilliance and the potential to take on the mantle of being Arsenal’s new #10, Özil is a player that is on an entirely different level compared to the rest as is evident by his world class stats at R. Madrid.
Özil would fit perfectly in the Arsenal system as he flourished in a very similar 4-2-3-1 system employed by Mourinho at R. Madrid playing the #10 role. Özil coming on board means he can bring the best out of Giroud. As a reference point on how a world class attacking midfielder can help even a decent striker, think back to how good Cesc made Adebayor look. That’s exactly what Özil can do for Giroud’s game and for Arsenal attacking game as a collective. As a passer, Özil would compliment the Arsenal midfield style of play as he is extremely comfortable playing tight to other midfielders around him and his quick passing would only give our attacks more guile. Also Özil is a fantastic counter-attacking player, one who can seamless string passes together and provide a perfectly weighted ball to either flank with ease. His brand of counter attacking is direct and would greatly benefit Theo Walcott’s game as he continues to develop on the right wing.
Ultimately what Özil brings to Arsenal goes beyond just his production. There is no question that Mesut Özil is a marquee signing. He isn’t a player with promise nor is an experienced player from an unknown league. He is the finished product and is already at 24 years of age a world-class player. There is no question that his arrival will provide the team with the added belief and desire to succeed and can only help Arsenal push on from a fantastic close to the last season.
With Arsenal smashing their previous transfer record to sign him, Özil in many ways represents more than just a signing. Özil’s arrival means Arsenal are finally flexing its financial power and are making the push to being a legitimate force in European (and World) football. Make no mistake; Özil is the biggest player Arsenal have signed since Bergkamp/Campbell. World-class players want to play alongside other world-class players and can also help make good players in the squad great. That is what Özil represent to Arsenal. Arsenal fans have been patient and that patience is starting to now pay off. With Özil signed and more to come, Arsenal just put the EPL and the CL on notice.
MESUT ÖZIL | Goals, Skills, Assists | Real Madrid | 2012/2013 (HD)
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Millions of fans have finally had their thirst quenched. Important to summarize my thoughts on this GRAND DAY for people like us, who can be nothing else but Gooners :
1) No doubt, Ozil is a wonderful player with numbers backing him, and I am overjoyed that we’ve signed him. All day have ended up reading thousands of tweets and hundreds of comments welcoming Ozil, all around the web (lots of interesting ones in the comments section at Arseblog news), an activity I am sure many of you would have participated in too.
But its the vast difference in fee between him and Cazorla which I think is giving him a higher fanfare than what we felt when Cazorla came in last year. I think Cazorla is as good a player, IF NOT BETTER.
His passing, his knack for playing one-two, at times, with himself, to get out of tricky positions (as Arseblog lyrically mentioned a while back), his ability with both feet, his shooting, work-rate and most importantly his ever-smiling relaxed persona is a delight. So just showing my gratitude to his presence in this Club. Can’t wait to see the pairing of the two of them weave their kind of magic, reminiscent of Hleb and Fabregas (and we already have Flamini back and a Flamini-esque Ramsey)
2) Part of the mad excitement is definitely because the thrill and surprise element of it, after most people had given up hopes of any notable signing. Worth noting, that by the time of the NLD and days preceeding it, there was hardly any link-ups with regard to Arsenal that were being made, barring Cabaye. The happiness that we did not have to disgruntledly welcome Shrek and Suarez should not be discounted.
3) I think the team was already strong, and this the tonic that it needed. Not only will it help have a kick-in the back of Jack, it will help Zelalem and Eisfield and Gnabry hone their craft. The depth in this department is phenomenal, and is courting envy from supporters of most clubs. To recall them all, we have Rosicky (who is getting better with age), Jack, Santi, Ozil, Diaby, Podolski, Chamberlain, Zelalem, Miyachi, Eisfield, Gnabry, Walcott and at times Ramsey for the non-DM midfield roles. (Assuming a formation of 4-2-3-1 with only one proper DM and the other being a runner)
4) The DM position is also statistically well covered with Arteta, Ramsey and Flamini, and in very rare situations Diaby or Frimpong.
5) The real plus of the signing in my view is that it will help unite the club. There has been too much bad-blood boiling within over these last few years. Just one, not-so-exorbitant (assuming the quality and source and the CV of the player involved) signing, will propel mass conversion to the AKB camp. The Emirates will become a better place to be in, with the crowd, who were excellent last year, fully behind. The away crowd will be even louder. The disgusting FansTalk videos after the Aston Villa defeat will not happen for a long long time. The players will be able to focus on the game, as their will be less distracting noises and accusations. ( I hope we stop the habit of players making speculative statements to the press, like “we are going to win the title” or “i am better than van Persie and Henry” and the like. Just let our performances speak, which I have little doubt they would.)
6) It raises the stature of the club several notches, and will help in salary negotiations, attracting other WC players and also recruiting emerging talent.
7) The quoted salary of 140,000 pounds a week, is a real bargain, and would not produce any dissonance in the many players who extended contracts last year.
7) I still think we are defensively light, very light considering that we will be taking Carling Cup fixtures seriously. Are there any young defenders in the reserves whom we can trust, say even for Carling Cup fixtures ? Loaning out Muquel and Djourou, IMO is a big mistake.
8) The striking department could have been strengthened, in light of Podolski’s injury. Giroud (HFB), Podolski and Walcott would have been ideally fine. Hope we grab someone early in January. Till then, would prefer Afobe and Akpom getting a greater role than Sonogo, who looks very rusty until now.
All in all, this is a landmark day for Gunners worldwide, many of whom who would not have witnessed DB10’s arrival !!!
While we are most definitely lacking depth, in many areas…
14 players went OUT, and 4 came in….
I will not complain about Arsenal making a signing he magnitude of Ozil…
we spent a lot of money, on a marquee player… who came from a much bigger club to be at Arsenal…
Would I have like a few more signings? sure…
but we spent money, and got a star power type player.
I tip my cap to the club.
With that CL group of death, it simply had to be done.
Interestingly, whilst I agree we are very light in attack and probably 2 bodies short overall, have a look at the change from last season to this.
3 players left who played zero games for AFC last season:-
Chamakh, Squillaci, Denilson
2 players left who contributed minimally:-
Arshavin (7 as sub), Santos (3 starts, 5 as sub)
2 players did contribute as squad members:-
Gervinho (12 starts, 6 as sub), Mannone (9 starts)
2 players have gone on loan, but they played either zero or minimal last year:-
Djourou (zero), Coquelin (3 starts, 8 as sub)
So, that’s 9 players leaving the club, 6 permanently, 1 likely to be permanent, and 1 we’re unsure as to their future. Only Gervinho contributed anything noticeable last season. And even that was, if we’re honest, very underwhelming.
That puts the reference to 14 OUT in perspective.
That’s not the end of the analysis however. The next question is what did the club do to mitigate those departures? Here’s the facts:-
Chamakh, Gervinho – nothing, it’s unfair to consider Sanogo, this is the area I would criticise Arsenal for not reinforcing
Arshavin – one could argue Özil is a replacement and, if so, a massive upgrade
Denilson, Coquelin – replaced by Flamini who I would judge to be an upgrade and who will likely contribute far more meaningfully than both these 2 together
Santos – replaced by Monreal in the last window in January. Top upgrade, excellent competition to Gibbs and even allows Gibbs to move in to a more forward role on occasion
Squillaci, Djourou – I would argue Flamini’s utility value as a part-time FB allows Sagna and Jenkinson to act as no’s 4/5 CB backup if needed. That’s ok for me because my assessment is Wenger will only buy another good CB when he decides to replace Vermaelen. Until then, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Sagna, Jenkinson is sufficient. I see Sagna potentially moving to CB and doing it rather well.
Mannone – replaced by Viviano, who seems a bit of an upgrade
In summary,
– we’re actually stronger in quality in GK, defence, in midfield, and at no.10 playmaker.
– we’ve signed a marquee player and that positions us well for future windows in attracting future players of high quality
– we’re short or light in attack, particularly with the semi-serious injuries to Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain
– ideally we should have added 1 maybe 2 more players in the window. Certainly 1 attacker.
The January window is not a good one for shopping for quality. Is there a chance we’ll go back in for Rooney if we don’t negotiate the Sept-Dec as well as we need to? Rooney’s frustration might have deepened by then. But it’s still hard to see ManU selling to us. If they would sell, the arrival of Özil might help convince Rooney to sign. Rooney has the upside of being versatile, a player that can play central, deep or wide. Importantly, Arsenal don’t have a prima donna forward in the squad, Giroud isn’t that. It might be a good fit…
I realize that many of the players that went… were not used or used lightly…
but when you are weak on defensive numbers… you don’t loan anyone out.
Our back-up CB’s are actually FB’s or DMs?
really… that’s what we are going with?? We’re supposed to be one of the top teams
in Europe, and if Mertesacker or Koscielny get injured, we’re filling in with an out of position player… 2 weeks into a new season?
sorry, but that is MADNESS.
Never should have loaned out Djourou AND Miquel, if we never planned to get another “actual” CB…
We are definitely light at striker as well… if Giroud were to get injured, our option would actually be?
Bendtner, I guess? We’d be forced to call him up and say, hey Nicky, no hard feelings, and you’ve done f-all for years, but do you want to play ball?
Look, I love the Ozil signing. Who doesn’t?
But if we spend another 15 or 20 or 30 Million, on a striker and defender, we could be going places…
I suppose Wenger actually thought Chelsea would HELP US??!! and loan us Demba Ba? He must think they are insane, like him… to imagine that happening.
and…
he doesn’t think we are threadbare on defense…
time will tell, it always does…
at least we have a star player now… hope he adjusts well to the EPL…
A good write up Mike.
The Good:
Is amazing, Mesut Özil is a world class signing and I agree he’s a Bergkamp moment – let’s hope he becomes an Arsenal legend. It’s hard to find anything not to like enormously about Özil and much will be said about this player in coming days. I had pencilled in 2 names on my Arsenal team/squad sheet that I believed sounded like players Wenger could and should sign, they were Messrs Flamini and Özil. So I’m very pleased with those additions. Even the goalkeeper Viviano on loan looks sensible if one assumes Szczęsny is still being groomed as the long term solution.
The Disappointing:
The biggest disappointment is probably no striker of any shape being brought in. I certainly accept that this is probably the hardest of all roles to recruit… and then even once you’ve got them to keep them happy is problematic. Look at Manchester United, they added van Persie and quickly Rooney turned sour (as I predicted and stated). Even Real Madrid, the club of Galatico’s, do not overstock this role. Wenger obviously rates and wants to back Giroud and you get the sense Giroud is a classic Wenger unpolished signing. With further confidence (which looks to be coming) Giroud might shine up to be a good striker. He won’t be a Henry, but he could well be a good team man. It then puts Wenger in a predicament, if he couldn’t get an über striker this window and yet he wanted to back Giroud – what was he to do? Signing a guy like Ba on a loan deal looked about right to me (accepting this is a Wenger world). But I really doubted whether Mourinho and Chelsea would do anything to help a fellow top 4 club – and they didn’t. So we look really light in the striking area.
Giroud is clearly being backed by Wenger until at least the January window if not longer. During this time he will need to be spelled occasionally or replaced if he is injured. Podolski and Walcott are the only (half) viable options, whilst Sanogo looks really raw on our first glimpses and at best needs to sit on the bench and get cameo roles. But Podolski is injured so that leaves Walcott. And if Walcott played central (in a false nine role) then we have no other direct players to play Theo’s role given Oxlade-Chamberlain is also out injured for a similar longish period. This is where I’m a bit surprised Wenger didn’t sign any attacking options at all – not just for a starting role if and when needed but also for a bench role as an option. It does seem odd and may be a risk that bites us badly.
The final point I’ll make is that Wenger seems to be growing fonder of the false nine role favoured by Barça and Guardiola. So, if we accept that might be the case then it helps you to see why he carries fewer out-and-out forwards. And why he might not see things as quite as grim as the rest of us. We know Wenger’s footballing world view is about shared responsibility whether it be; captaincy, defending, getting the ball back, creating, attacking or scoring goals. This is relevant.
The key now is how Giroud shapes up and whether the attacking side of the squad gets fit and impresses before the January window. If Giroud really underwhelms and/or the other direct players like Podolski, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain struggle due to injury or form then I’m guessing Wenger might revisit the question of an addition in the striking area in January. But he’ll be faced with the same dilemma – does he go elite, temporary or emerging – and we know January is a hard window to buy in because it’s in-season and few clubs want to sell significant players at this time.
The misguided whinging:
Some folk are yapping on about defence, and yet, we have 2 good fullbacks on both the left and the right, a good first choice CB pairing, and a Belgian international as third choice CB. We also have Flamini to cover FB which allows Sagna and Jenkinson to also cover as a fourth or fifth choice option at CB. So for me, it’s the best defence since the days of Campbell/Toure. The only question is around Vermaelen’s longer term future at the club. Wenger’s even addressed the keeping situation with Viviano in what seems a sensible Wengerish way.
Mesut Özil is an amazing signing. I’ll comment more on this separately.
I’m pleased you share my view (unlike the WHOLE world) that Arsenal’s main problems have been offensive rather than defensive. Clean sheets guarantee draws, goals win games.
I will be looking for one thing in particular that even Santi isn’t getting right: through balls for Theo. Let’s hope the connection is formed asap.