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)
