The thought of Ozil, Wilshere and Cazorla combining is leaving Arsenal fans drooling…
Following Arsenal’s mega-money signing of Real Madrid’s German 24-year-old playmaker, we analyse how the superstar will fit into Arsene Wenger’s side at the Emirates…
How the line up will look with Ozil:
Sticking the German playmaker into an Arsenal line up suddenly makes the Gunners look like a pretty ominous attacking force. Ozil has the ability to play centrally in the no.10 spot, or from the right, cutting and dictating play with his left-foot. The attacking trio behind the on-form Giroud will be very interchangeable, and the players will swap positions throughout the game, moving into space and targeting tired defenders.
What Ozil brings to the side:
Ozil is undoubtedly one of the best playmakers in European football, and his creative and technical ability is second to very few. Ozil has the vision to play onrushing attackers through, for a one-on-one situation, but he can also weave his way to the by-line and cross the football. Giroud is very strong in the air, and will eagerly await this kind of service. Technically, Ozil is absolutely fantastic, and is happy to receive the ball in very tight areas – where he regularly manages to draw defenders and recycle possession, opening up space in an opposition defence or midfield. He also has a burst of speed when dribbling that makes centre-backs back off him when he attacks through the middle. On top of this, Ozil’s flair enables him to be create chances with flicks, tricks, drag-backs and even scoops – so opposition defenders never know what he will try next.
Ozil’s statistics last season: (courtesy of Squawka)
Ozil made 78 key passes in La Liga last year, which was only bettered by four other players. Only Santi Cazorla made more than this in the Arsenal side. His average pass length was 17m, which is the same as the Arsenal team, so in that respect, he would slot in perfectly. He also scored nine goals, which is only a few less than Walcott, Giroud or Podolski each managed from a forward position. Only Andres Iniesta assisted more La Liga goals than Ozil too, and the only surprise is that Real Madrid were willing to sell the 24-year-old German at all.
What Ozil’s arrival will do for Arsenal:
Ozil’s arrival means the Gunners have a creative trio of technical playmakers that rivals anything in European football. The combination of Wilshere, Cazorla and Ozil playing in front of a deeper midfielder, and behind a centre-forward will cause havoc and create chances against any opposition in world football. Ozil is arguably even a step above Wilshere and Cazorla however, and his wonderful ability to see a pass means the goalscoring Giroud will see a hat-full of chances this season.
Secondly, his signing also reinvigorates a fan base angry and irritated by a lack of transfer activity at the Emirates this summer. His arrival will spark a feeling of positivity already developing after this weekend’s north-London derby win over Tottenham. Arsene Wenger has consistently promised fans that the money is available to him if the right player comes on the market – and he’s unequivocally proved his point.
Following Ozil’s arrival, fans will start to believe once more Arsenal can genuinely compete for the title rather than just the top four.
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