Arsenal surprised everyone with their transfer deadline day deal for German international Mesut Ozil, and Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann believes the that the former Real Madrid star will be a massive signing for the Gunners.
Discussing Ozil's €47m transfer, Hamann - who played in the 2002 World Cup final for Germany - described Ozil as a 'top, top signing', but doubted whether the midfielder would be enough to propel Arsenal into title contention. He observed:
"I think he [Ozil] is a fantastic player, and he'll improve the team no end.
"He has more assists over the last four or five years than any other player in Europe and he can create and score a goal out of nothing - and I don't think there are too many players of that calibre.
"Whether it's enough for them to challenge for the title, I'm not too sure"
Ozil's creative stats for Real Madrid are certainly formidable:
* 2012-13: 10 goals/20 assists in 56 apps.
* 2011-12: 8 goals/22 assists in 55 apps.
* 2010-11: 10 goals/25 assists in 53 apps.
* 3-YEAR TOTAL: 28 goals/67 assists in 164 apps.
* Goal/Assist every 1.7 games
Ozil may be top dog in Europe for assists over the last five years, but in the last two seasons, Juan Mata's overall contribution for Chelsea has exceeded Ozil's:
* 2012-13: 20 goals/28 assists in 66 apps.
* 2011-12: 14 goals/20 assists in 54 apps.
* 2-YEAR TOTAL: 34 goals/48 assists in 120 apps.
* Goal/assist every 1.4 games.
Liverpool were tenuously linked with a move for Ozil in 2011, and it would've been amazing to have him at Anfield. The same applies to Mata. I still can't understand why Jose Mourinho wouldn't have the Spaniard in his team every single game. The guy is a creative genius! 48 goals/assists in 66 appearances? How do you ignore a player with such an amazing capacity to create goals?
Ozil will undoubtedly improve Arsenal's team, and I think it's safe to say that Liverpool's battle for 4th place just became a little bit harder. After all, Arsenal have the experience: they've finished in the top four sixteen years running, and even managed the feat last season despite a stuttering league campaign.
The battle for fourth place this season is (arguably) between Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool, and after the Ozil signing, the Gunners are arguably in pole position, which is potentially bad news for the Reds.
Can Liverpool overhaul Arsenal and finish in the top four? Absolutely, but only (IMO) if Rodgers pulls of another Sturridge/Coutinho-style coup in the January transfer market.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Discussing Ozil's €47m transfer, Hamann - who played in the 2002 World Cup final for Germany - described Ozil as a 'top, top signing', but doubted whether the midfielder would be enough to propel Arsenal into title contention. He observed:
"I think he [Ozil] is a fantastic player, and he'll improve the team no end.
"He has more assists over the last four or five years than any other player in Europe and he can create and score a goal out of nothing - and I don't think there are too many players of that calibre.
"Whether it's enough for them to challenge for the title, I'm not too sure"
Ozil's creative stats for Real Madrid are certainly formidable:
* 2012-13: 10 goals/20 assists in 56 apps.
* 2011-12: 8 goals/22 assists in 55 apps.
* 2010-11: 10 goals/25 assists in 53 apps.
* 3-YEAR TOTAL: 28 goals/67 assists in 164 apps.
* Goal/Assist every 1.7 games
Ozil may be top dog in Europe for assists over the last five years, but in the last two seasons, Juan Mata's overall contribution for Chelsea has exceeded Ozil's:
* 2012-13: 20 goals/28 assists in 66 apps.
* 2011-12: 14 goals/20 assists in 54 apps.
* 2-YEAR TOTAL: 34 goals/48 assists in 120 apps.
* Goal/assist every 1.4 games.
Liverpool were tenuously linked with a move for Ozil in 2011, and it would've been amazing to have him at Anfield. The same applies to Mata. I still can't understand why Jose Mourinho wouldn't have the Spaniard in his team every single game. The guy is a creative genius! 48 goals/assists in 66 appearances? How do you ignore a player with such an amazing capacity to create goals?
Ozil will undoubtedly improve Arsenal's team, and I think it's safe to say that Liverpool's battle for 4th place just became a little bit harder. After all, Arsenal have the experience: they've finished in the top four sixteen years running, and even managed the feat last season despite a stuttering league campaign.
The battle for fourth place this season is (arguably) between Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool, and after the Ozil signing, the Gunners are arguably in pole position, which is potentially bad news for the Reds.
Can Liverpool overhaul Arsenal and finish in the top four? Absolutely, but only (IMO) if Rodgers pulls of another Sturridge/Coutinho-style coup in the January transfer market.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
I'm not a believer in all this assumption 'stuff' to be honest. Liverpool are in pole position in my opinion, as you can can see with just one look at the table.
ReplyDeletetoo early to tell, when arsenal are in europe history tells us that there league form suffers a bit, we need to capitalise on that this season.
ReplyDeleteAfter 3 games? Sounds like a fairly big assumption on your part.
ReplyDeletehes going off the data he has
ReplyDeleteThe table after three games is not an indicator of how the season will turn out. After 3 games last season, Swansea and West Brom were second and third in the table, and Liverpool were 17th.
ReplyDeleteAt this point, it's safe to assume the top 6 is up for grabs. Even perhaps by some of the teams that usually don't get a mention.
ReplyDeleteLast season we were always playing catch up, so its nice to get a good start and as i said below about europe, we need capitalise on the fact we will be playing less games.
ReplyDeleteWhilst Ozil is a great player, actually he is probably one of the nest in the world in his position, Arsenal still have a very thin squad.
ReplyDeleteThey are very lite on strikers and defends so if they get injuries in those departments it will hurt more then most.
Last season we were poor for the first half of it and did well really in 2nd half of season to get where we were. This season we only need concentrate on league games as we have no europe, i feel we can maintain our good form.
ReplyDeleteWest Brom last season and Newcastle the season before were also this chipper after 3 games for a top 4 finish :)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking how WBA was sitting pretty and then sunk like a stone.
ReplyDeleteWe are LFC though, we are known for our optimism :)
ReplyDeleteI guess it will depend on how injuries affect your squad and Suarez's mental health. But at this point in the season, anything is possible for quite a few teams.
ReplyDeleteDo you think if we are in top 4 in january then we could do the same as west brom? i think we are better than that
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying that at all, I just think that over the course of the season, schedule congestion, injuries, form all take their toll. So after three games, maybe take it with a grain or two of salt.
ReplyDeleteliverpool liverpool liverpool... u guys are soooo scared of Arsenal, sorry guys this year we are going for the EPL trophy and Suarez. So kindly look 4 another team to kick out of the top 4 race
ReplyDeleteof course i'm not getting ahead of myself its just nice to have maximum points from 3 games for a change. This year after the defensive signings i feel optimistic without europe that our squad is quite capable of a top 4 finish. Im not one of these that automatically assumes its between us tottenham and arsenal, i might be naive but i havent seen anything that special so far from the big 3.
ReplyDeleteI actually think it will be really close points wise for top 6 for a while, last season pundits said anyone can beat anyone, i believe that to be more true this season. I think this year could be the most exciting prem season ever, top 6 to all be within 6/9 points of each other till after xmas
ReplyDeleteOn that point I'd agree, the so called big 3 haven't impressed at all. Maybe they'll eventually turn it on, but this year, I don't think those top 6 slots, with the traditional top 4, are a given.
ReplyDeletei agree as stated below
ReplyDeleteThe only positive from these games, we got maximum points even though we r not at our best yet. That attacking midfielder position worries me after seeing coutinho bullied by ferdinand/carrick/vidic last week.
ReplyDeleteI think thats the point i'm trying to make our schedule will not be as congested as the teams we are competing with.
ReplyDeleteWell, assuming LFC doesn't go far in the C1C or the FA cup. But I think not getting in the Europa league is actually a bonus. That competition is a drain and usually not worth it.
ReplyDeleteDont worry too much about Coutinho he will get better, Utd are still a quality team alot of players will find it difficult to make an impact. Hes 20 or 21, still time to improve :)
ReplyDeleteExactly, no thursday europa then sunday league games, it affected our consistency last season and IMO just like Arsenal when they went out of europe, we went on a run of something like 16 games with only losing once i think. So to help us it would be great if they all qualify for next stages and we need to capitalize on that. We will be fresh each week and so far the squad looks motivated in each game and hungry, we need keep that up and who knows.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree just been discussing this with a mate.
ReplyDeleteSomething also to consider is that Ozils assits will also be boosted considerable that alot of the 'assists' were playing the ball to Ronaldo who can score goals when most players in the world wouldn't.
ReplyDeletethats a fair point, also la liga overall i dont believe to be as strong as the prem. Everyone always says there are no easy games. Teams that bully arsenal in the past aren't suddenly not going be bullied because ozil is there. They will be better though with him that much is clear.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to knock optimism, I still hold an outside hope of Arsenal claiming the title. The article above suggests that 4th spot is up for grabs. I suggest that it's a clean slate, all 4 spots are up for grab, its going to be one hell of a season :)
ReplyDeleteI think SPURS are the club best equipped to get 4th spot.They got rid of BALE but strengthened with top quality players in areas that needed improvement.
ReplyDeleteARSENAL have signed one of the best players in the world but i don't think they addressed their problem area of defense.SZCZESNY has mistakes in him and they could do with extra cover at CB.Maybe another DM because of DIABY's injury record and they need a top quality striker IMO.
The signing of MESUT OZIL had a hint of desperation about it.WENGER i'm sure felt pressure to buy a big name player to appease their fans.He's the fantasy player many ARSENAL fans wanted but they've neglected other areas and i think that will backfire.
I agree, bloody England making me wait too long for the next twist :)
ReplyDeleteTottenham will take time, they will suffer inconsistency IMO as they have a whole host of new players although i dont doubt there quality. RE: arsenal desperation signing Ozil, i wish when we were desperate we signed ozil rather than one Andrew Carroll. Lets be fair it could have been worse.
ReplyDeleteANDY CARROLL and that money wasted has gone.That embarrassing transfer chapter in LFC's history is closed move on!
ReplyDeleteIts a bit of a red herring, that. Arsenal has 3 fit defenders (Mertasacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen) after the international break...with Sagna being able to fit in centrally and Jenkinson/Flamini able to fill in at RB. Gibbs/Monriel/Vermaelen/Flamini at left back and I really don't see where any shortage in defensive options. At CF Theo can deputize with Ozil/Carzola able to play at RW. Only the worst of scenarios will see them have to rely on Yaya Sanogo, Who was France's top scorer at the U20 World Cup (He's probably no mug) in the same team as much touted Pogba and Kongdogbia. If he doesn't work out they STILL have "bums" like Danish and Korean Former players of the years Bendtner and Park Chu Young (Not playing to avoid alienating the Korean fanbase...Should be doing his military service).
ReplyDeleteThey aren't light,and Giroud doesn't have a history of injuries.
arsenal don't need a mid. they need a striker. You can't turn down the opportunity to sign Ozil, but they need a striker to be fully equipped.
ReplyDeleteArsenal had one of the best defences in the league last time round, with the best away record.
ReplyDeleteArsenal's real problem was in attack, where as usual they struggled to break down teams with loaded boxes. If you could sign any player to get wins out of those game ... Ozil would be the man.
I see all your points, but I have not made an assumption. I've merely stated a fact. Liverpool are in 'fact' In pole position to win the league. That doesn't mean we will. But we have given ourselves the best chance out of all 20 teams. I predict we will finish 3rd or 4th. I cannot believe how severely underrated our side is. The league is not won by the best team, Chelsea and City have seen that. Its won by the most consistent team. If we lose to all the top 5 teams (excluding us) from now on, but win all the games we should be winning, we will finish with 87 points. But seeing as we have already proved we can beat the best, who is to say we cant beat the other top teams. The league is won by taking it one game at a time, and as of this very moment, Liverpool have done that the best and are statistically in pole position.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be a battle between us, Arsenal and Totte for sure. Arsenal will be there abouts for sure at the end of the season. Tottenham have a really strong team, if they gel then they can be a powerhouse.
ReplyDeleteI still think United might wobble a bit but not too much. If we can beat both Arsenal and Tottenham away then that would be a great boost.
However as learned from last season, when we go on little unbeaten run we tend to get overconfident and we saw that vs Southampton last season. Hopefully we can be more consistent this time.
In case you missed it, Arsenal loan Viviano on dealine day. While on the books he came from a serie B team, the little known. Fact is he played the whole last season as Fiorentina #1(Finished 4th) and is Italy's second keeper in front of Salvatore Seriglu. Arsenal hasn't played an orthodox DM since they bought Arteta. And for the type of player they opt for when they need a ball-winner on the field, they've got flamini.
ReplyDeleteTheir defence was the 2nd best in the league last season. Its even scarier when you consider they lead the league in unforced errors total/leading to goals. That they have a poor defence is a myth. It just looks that way cause the goals they do conceed are usually counter-attacks with the midfield committed and the back four/three exposed.
I can see your point but I don't totally agree with it. Teams will drop points so being top after 3 games means nothing. Of course, it's an improvement from nest season but like you said the most consistent team wins the league.
ReplyDeleteWe will get more of an indication how well we can do by January after the games congestion.
I watched Tottenham against Arsenal the other week. To be honest I wasn't really impressed with their new signings. It's early days, but none of them stood out as players to be feared. Arsenal had less possession, but looked like they new what to do with the ball when they had it. I think this tottenham team may just be a little overhyped. Arsenal will be the bigger threat. If we want to finish 4th we'd best have to beat them twice this season
ReplyDeleteAnd that was the 2nd best defence in the PL last term. There's more depth there than we get credit for. The only area that can truly be termed 'thin' is the striker position.
ReplyDeleteHint of desperation....keep telling yourself that. Signing 7 players to replace one had seems more desperate. Perhaps focus on your own squad.
ReplyDelete3 Games, keep telling yourself that. It's been three matches. Assume that every team will indeed drop points and pick up injuries and lose form. This isn't about underrating any team at this point, it's about not getting ahead of yourself so early in the season.
ReplyDeleteI have, im just making a point about you saying that ozil was a desperate signing
ReplyDeleteI look at the big positive that the team has so far defeated three teams they lost points to last season.
ReplyDeleteAs far as top 4 i reserve my judgement.
Suso is doing quiet well on loan, going to come back a better player, and on arsenal, they have a decent midfield attacking wise but defending wise are abit subject, with a dodgy keeper doesn't help either. And only one fit striker.... But for sure AW will use his manager experience :)
ReplyDeletemust choose - Ozil Suarez - no contest Suarez is miles better.
ReplyDeleteMate no way in hell is Liverpool gonna sell Suarez to you its likely he'll go to Madrid if hes gonna go anywhere...
ReplyDeleteGrow up, you see the word desperation and have a hissy fit.I said MESUT OZIL was one of the best in the world so just take your tablets and relax.Signing 7 quality players to replace the impact of one.Most football fans would call that clever business.
ReplyDeleteLooking at just 3 games and then deciding whether LFC will finish in top 4 is not what I'd do and suggest other fans too. We did sign a few players and they're all good, but, I hope they hit the ground running on all engines to make LFC a constant threat at the top 4 and not just for the start of the season. The start LFC got is perfect in terms of points and wins, but we still need a lot more goals because its not possible to prevent other teams from scoring throughout the season and win by a narrow margin of 1-0.
ReplyDeleteArsenal haven't done the business I expected them to, even though they signed Ozil who's just pure class I still expected them to go for other players which they could've easily afforded in the likes of Higuain or
Gomez or Soldado or Negredo or Jovetic or Aubmeyang which would've been
amazing for them as these are the players that would've pushed them
forward. Then the most important was the goalkeeper who could've been Rui
Patricio or Guiata or Begovic or Mignolet which they again failed and
got one on loan, I wouldn't say he's bad, but the guys mentioned above or tested and have performed well over the years.
Tottenham have done the best business IMO. They signed multiple attackers in order to fill the hole left by Bale, they've used the money good looking at the players they signed. However, how they perform still needs to be seen.
I would consider Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and even ManU after how Moyes played the wrong way and with wrong players battling to get into the top 4.
I personally think that Arsenal and Liverpool could sneak into the top four. I'm not convinced by Man U this year. I can see them falling apart with no strong leader now Fergies gone. I also think Spurs will drop some games early and start to roll towards the end. Arsenal can go either way. If everyone stays healthy I can see them battling for that 1-2 spot but an injury to Giroud could see them tumbling to mid table.
ReplyDeleteI'd say its way too early to say any of these things after all its been 3 games we just gotta keep this momentum and not slip up as we did a lot last season. I think we can get top 4 but a lot depends on our ability to be consistent throughout the season rather then the first 3 games only time will tell but here's hoping for a good season!
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to argue the needs of ARSENAL with you when you watch much more of them than i do.But stats can be misleading.You had the second best defence and had the third best strikeforce but scraped 4th.
ReplyDeleteMAN CITY had the joint 5th best attack and finished runners up.MAN U ended the seasson with the joint 5th best defence with LFC and won the league with ease.
I love the idea that finally buying a word class player after years of hounding and abuse to do it comes across as a desperate signing. Any team in the world would love to have Ozil in their squad, not sure desperate is the word mate.
ReplyDeleteMost fans because we all want to see our teams doing big business during the transfer window, but Wenger got it right. It's not a good idea to toss in 7 new players and expect it to click right away. That's been borne out over the first few matches. While you're taking the time to gel other teams that have an existing core are going to be pulling away. Perhaps it would be more clever to add a few at a time and reload in January.
ReplyDeleteDifferent positions.
ReplyDeleteI think it was more desperate to hold on to Bale until it was near the end of the window in hopes of screwing over Arsenal and any other PL team interested in RM players. And even trying to get RM to go back on the Ozil deal....you know, if reports are to be believed.
ReplyDelete"WENGER got it right" we'll see at the end of the season.CHELSEA brought in a batch of first team players last season and they finished 3rd comfortably.
ReplyDeleteThere is no right or wrong number when it comes to bringing in players as long as they have quality and you don't do a complete overhaul like QPR did last season.
Hang on, Arsenal scraped 4th, but Chelsea got 3rd comfortably, by 2 points more than Arsenal? C'mon.
ReplyDeleteThe results will bear out. I don't doubt that spurs will get it together, will it be too late? It remains to be seen. A lot is always made about how players will adapt to the league, you think that 7 new additions won't have these issues?
Ozil is extremely good. Definitely good for Arsenal and bad for LFC. Let's hope it's Man Utd that falls off the race for top 4 at the end of the season.
ReplyDeleteDANIEL LEVY wanted to hold out for the maximum amount of money they could get from the GARETH BALE deal.Replacements i'm sure took priority over anything ARSENAL was potentially going to do.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that even more than I doubt Levy trying to interfere with the Özil deal. Over the summer the price didn't fluctuate that much. It's not like RM offered £20M and Levy bled them for 80+.
ReplyDeleteI said CHELSEA got top 3 comfortably because they held that position for basically the whole season.If 7 new signings are on the field at the same time then maybe it will take longer to gel.
ReplyDeleteBut the quality they have brought in they are good enough to pick up wins in the getting to know each other stage.
If they are in the mix come the half way stage (within 5 points of the last CL place) i expect them to get 4th.
"The price didn't fluctuate that much" Us fans like to talk like we're in the negotiation room when deals are being talked about.The truth is we get drops of information from Sky and other media outlets and run with it.
ReplyDeleteDANIEL LEVY has built up a reputation for being the hardest person in football to deal with.You may have the attitude of what's a extra 5 or 10m in the BALE deal.But he will want the largest fee possible and he usually does his job very well.
I guess it's a matter of perspective then. Mine says the three teams weren't that far off each other, so Chelsea barely hung in for 3rd with Arsenal closing in with an unbeaten run to finish the season.
ReplyDeleteI won't dispute either of those points, but the figures that us on the outside did hear about never seemed to go below £70M I don't think. It makes more sense that Levy held out so he could do his other deals at a non inflated price but how outlandish is it to also believe that in holding the Bale deal off he could interfere, directly or indirectly, with any PL team, not just Arsenal getting players from RM?
ReplyDeleteYou thought CHELSEA barely hung on.But for me they were never under serious pressure to drop out of the top 4.
ReplyDeleteBENITEZ and his team had bigger fish to fry (silverware).They took their foot off the gas by trying to juggle players for the Europa and the League but still managed 3rd and won another trophy.
I think he is utter class. Yep, he is coming into the area of the team that is strong and there are other areas of the team that needs strengthening for Arsenal but once in a while, there is a special player that comes along and you just have to snap them up, regardless. Putting aside the tribal motives, looking forward to see him play. His vision and the technique behind it is just fantastic.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't see us getting in the top 4 but despite my doubts about our transfer window, I think we're going in the right direction. Tactically, I'm liking the direction Rodgers is taking the club in. Be interesting to see where Suarez plays when he comes back.
But he looks somewhat like Almunia. Good sign(!) ;)
ReplyDeleteIs he injured? As he isn't in the latest Italy squad.
No top 4 side should be relying on Bendtner, even as back up!
ReplyDelete'There is no right or wrong number when it comes to bringing in players '
ReplyDeleteDitto.
Heck, Chelsea in 2004/5, brought in a new manager, new staff and 4/5 players. They walked the league!
Ok, so Chelsea was comfy, Arsenal scraped and spurs choked. Anyway, you are right that Chelsea did it better than both our teams.
ReplyDeleteOzil, being an outstanding player (worth much more than what Wenger paid) was actually not essential for Gunners & his move might block the development for Wilshire. Arsenal had few other areas than AM to improve. I thought Ozil could have been more effective for MU than Arsenal. Cecs (or Ozil & Alcantra) shows the pulling power of British Managers outside UK.
ReplyDeleteI think, Real sold Ozil purely from business point, after 3 years at Bernabeu, enough No. 10, Ozil shirt had been sold, so they had to spree money for another "Shirt Icon". & Bale for 85m+ is a joke, as Wenger rightly said, in 2 years time he 'll be sold back to England (for a value which nets off his purchase price, salary & Shirt sale, & may be with some profit).
I think Spurs' signings will, on the whole, turn out to be overrated players who have succeeded in inferior competitions, and for whom Spurs have paid absurdly inflated fees for.
ReplyDeleteVillas-Boas inherited a squad which had shown itself capable of succeeding in England and Europe, and has proceeded to tear it up and replace it with a team reminiscent of a good Portugese league side. I don't see how this is going to work.
At the very least these signings will take time to gel. The one signing that really impresses me is Lamela, and he won't be coming good for a season or two yet.
Arsenal are in a much better position than either Spurs or Man City to be successful in the league this season, and are my favourites for the championship. I really believe it's between us and City for 2nd / 3rd, and Spurs and Man Utd for 4th.
I'm actually more confident now in Coutinho than I was. He adapted his game against Man Utd, and worked like an absolute animal to regain and keep possession. He is a real footballer, not just a luxury No. 10, the kind of player who can contribute to winning team performances even when he is being marked or bullied out of the game, or is simply not playing very well.
ReplyDelete