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Why Arsenal's signing of Mesut Ozil is a masterstroke by Wenger

Why Arsenal's signing of Mesut Ozil is a masterstroke by Wenger


The likes of Kenny Dalglish are surprised that Arsenal chose to sign a midfielder in the transfer window, but we explain the reasons why signing Ozil could be the perfect move by Arsene Wenger.

The most cynical of Arsenal fans have been focusing not on what Arsene Wenger has achieved in signing Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, but have instead criticised their French manager for signing yet another midfielder.


With injury issues mounting at Arsenal, with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski and Mikel Arteta all out for some time; many were expecting the Gunners to sign a defender, midfielder and a striker in the transfer window.


With an already impressive midfield including Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby as well as Arteta, the signing of Ozil surprised many. Many asked "Do Arsenal need to add another attacking midfielder?" In fact, Arsenal may have made the right signing in the right position, and here are a couple of reasons why.


As already mentioned, the Gunners have an abundance of talent in central midfield. There has been some talk that Santi Cazorla will move out to his favoured left wing role. That is indeed an option as the Spaniard showed in the recent 1-0 win over Tottenham.


Imagine if Arsenal lose Olivier Giroud to injury, will the Gunners really be that short in the attacking department? Theo Walcott has already proved that he is capable of scoring goals in the central striking role, whilst Wenger already signed Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre in the summer. The young Frenchman deserves his chance and will prove himself in the League Cup this season. If the worst comes to the worst and Giroud succumbs to injury, Walcott can fill in up front and Arsenal can play Ozil on the right wing. Even Ramsey has filled in on the right and Kieron Gibbs can fill in on the left, pushing Cazorla over to the right hand side.


Then in defence, what if first choice full backs Gibbs and Sagna are injured? Carl Jenkinson and Nacho Monreal await their chance. In the centre of the park, the centre back pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker will rotate for places with Thomas Vermaelen who is close to a return form injury. With the summer signing Mathieu Flamini able to cover at both full back positions (as he has proved in his previous spell at Arsenal), are the Gunners really short at the back? Probably not.


So, if you look at the entire squad, it's not really as bad as it seems in terms of squad depth.


The signing of Mesut Ozil has been a masterstroke by Wenger and we can't wait for international duty to finish so we can see him in action.