Arsenal’s previous big name signing has hailed the impact made on the club by record transfer Mesut Ozil.
Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp says that he can understand the comparisons made in the media between himself and the club’s record signing Mesut Ozil.
The Netherlands international made a monumental impact upon joining Bruce Rioch’s Gunners in 1995, and was a critical part of Arsene Wenger’s successful start to his managerial career.
Ozil has already made a considerable impression himself, scoring once and providing five assists in his opening five appearances – prompting Bergkamp’s words.
“I don’t like comparing,” said the Dutchman to the Daily Telegraph.
“We’re all unique. But I do understand the similarities people see and I believe he can be very important to the team.
“It is still early days. He is a tremendous player with a lot of effective skills like controlling the ball, making creative passes and assists, taking the right position in the field every time. And he’s extremely experienced.
“Putting all that together I think you’ve got a player who can be the missing link in the Arsenal team, a player who will make a striker score goals, who will link up in Arsenal’s position-game and who will score goals as well.
“Behind every pass there must be a thought.
“Ozil knows exactly how to control the ball in what kind of space to give himself time. That’s the difference between the players and great players.
“With his intelligence and his touch and his skills, he is trying to do something right with every ball.”
Ozil’s long pass to Olivier Giroud against West Bromwich Albion to start the attack that resulted in Jack Wilshere’s equaliser particularly stood out for Bergkamp.
“With that pass it seems like Ozil was already calculating what the next pass should be. So he puts the ball on the side which means Giroud’s only option is to pass it to the third player. The point is that there is a thought behind that pass. You see that with his control and his movement and that’s what I like.
“With all the respect to the other Arsenal players, I think he is the one who can make a difference. The other players are good in midfield. But you need someone of a high-level you can be good in all areas of the pitch.”
Like all Arsenal fans, Dennis Bergkamp will hope that Mesut Ozil is the first of many high profile signings to help bring the glory days to Emirates Stadium.
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