They say that everyone wants what they can’t have. This was definitely the case for myself as an Arsenal fan.
Arsenal for nearly the past decade has been a club that would never achieve higher than third place in the English Premier League.
Now this position isn’t one to laugh at as coming third in one of the top leagues in the world is quite an amazing feat, however every fan wants their team to be champions.
There were times when I would watch teams such as Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid play and I would often find myself saying “I wish that Arsenal would sign someone like him”.
Turns out that Arsene Wenger agreed and he brought “him” in.
During the last transfer window Wenger made his usual bargain buys signing former Arsenal player Mathieu Flamini and young Frenchman Yaya Sanogo. The fans felt like Wenger was up to his old tricks, spending low and bringing in solid players. The Gunners needed a player that was coveted by the world, a player that was wanted by all – thus came Mesut Ozil.
Thanks to the record breaking sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, the Galacticos had to offload one of their midfielders and the opportunity to buy one of the best players in the world arose for Arsenal. Wenger broke his low spending ways and spent £42.5 million on the German star. Football fans all around the world were in shock, a team that was more likely to buy an unknown 16-year old from Nigeria just signed one of the best players in the world. Arsenal fans everywhere were singing Wengers name before Ozil had even stepped on to the grounds at Emirates for the first time.
So far Mesut Ozil has given Arsenal fans something to cheer about. In his first five games for the Gunners Ozil has scored once and passed for four assists. Arsenal have won every game and find themselves at the top of the Premier League since his debut. Now of course these are early days, but for an Arsenal fan who has been so used to a fourth place finish this is the time to rejoice. Arsenal are in great form and Ozil has contributed to this however this is not to shy away from the great efforts of players such as Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Flamini and Wojciech Szczesny who have all improved from last season.
Mesut Ozil is the first piece of the puzzle for Arsenal and with the January transfer window coming up Wenger might have another surprise for the fans. Olivier Giroud is playing very well however with the possible addition of a world class striker in January the Gunners have the opportunity to become even greater.
These are early days but for an Arsenal fan who always wished for more from his team, I can say that I have hope for the Gunners.
Antonis Lianos
Roar Rookie
I agree with you regarding Flamini as I did not expect him to perform as well as he has been performing. So far he appears to be a great signing by Wenger. If the Gunners can stay healthy and continue using this core of players to their full abilities we will have a fantastic season. So far we done all of this without Cazorla and when he comes back our midfield should be even stronger. I can't wait till Chelsea and Arsenal face off against one another it should be a fantastic game.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Whether it's by luck or design I think Arsenal are definitely in a far better place than many expected. As others on the Roar have pointed out, continuity in management versus the the upheavel at most of their rivals has given them an extra filip also. Ozil has been a wonderful buy and many of the top clubs in Europe were caught off guard there, it is a real coup for Arsenal. He was probably the type of player they needed least given their squad balance but the opportunity to sign a player like that doesn't come around very often, they had the chance and took it. I've been banging on for an age however that it isn't big names necessarily that Arsenal needed. What they needed was a couple of 'blunt instruments' to balance the excellent passing and possession they usually have. By that I meant a goalkeeper that could collect crosses and save shots, a strong central defender that could actually defend, a midfield enforcer to look after Wilshire and someone to stick the ball in the net regularly. Flamini is for me a perfect example. The fans probably groaned when he came back but he is EXACTLY what Arsenal needed and he has gone mainly unnoticed as Ozil rightly takes the plaudits. The whole point however is that is Flamini's job, to allow the Ozils and the Carzolas to play. I still think Arsenal are short in a couple of positions and I just wonder where they would be right now had they paid the 24M that Villa wanted for Benteke or signed Higuain and possibly taken Julio Cesar relatively cheaply from QPR. Arsenal have the biggest chance since Chelsea emerged as a real force to challenge at the top and the players they possibly need to get them over the line are very attainable, they don't all need to be Ozils in the superstar bracket. I'm a Chelsea fan myself and I have to say I am not looking forward to playing Arsenal if the teams are in this relative form come the day. Time and injuries will tell but it's going to be a very interesting season.
AY
Guest
Very useful comment. Just as useful as 0-3 home to WH.
fatboi
Guest
lol EPL plastics
Max Willis
Roar Pro
GO SPURS AHAHAH