Mesut Ozil stunned the whole football world by signing a long-term contract at Arsenal on deadline day on a transfer deal worth 42.5 million British pounds. It is believed that Real Madrid sold Ozil to balance their money book after buying Bale from Tottenham for a world record fee.
Here are some of the reactions (mixed) from other players and managers around the globe about the deal, Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who was tipped to make a comeback to Arsenal later in his career, expressed his surprise over the deal.
He said (to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.) I was really surprised by Ozil’s departure, He seemed to me the second-best player at Madrid, after Cristiano (Ronaldo).”
“He’ll be great for Arsenal,”
Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be an unhappy man after the sale of Ozil who provided so many assists for the Portuguese forward. He expressed his anger in a vocal way.
He reportedly said,
“The sale of Özil is very bad news for me.”
“He was the player who best knew my moves in front of goal. I’m angry about Ozil leaving.”
On the other hand, Germany manager Joachim Löw believes the move will do more good to both the player and Germany than harm.
He said ahead of Germany’s game against Austria,
“For us it’s good, because he has a top manager and top club, playing with two Germans already (in) Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski,”
“The football (at Arsenal) is very good and technically really promising. That suits Mesut for sure.”
Albeit, how effective do you guys think Ozil can be for the Gunners?
Ozil is a LOT, LOT more versatile than people are willing to imagine. For Werder Bremen and for Real, he played everywhere across the front-line. In Real Madrid’s big games, Ozil played in the right wing, with CR7 down the left while adding another body in midfield, and Ozil served up dozens of assists from there. Remember CR7’s title-winning goal at Nou Camp two years ago? Ozil provided the assist, and where was he playing? That’s right, down the right.
There has been a lot of talk about Arsenal’s missed chance to bring in a striker as Sanogo and Bendtner are the replacements if Giroud goes down. But consider this, if Giroud does get injured or rested, Theo can slot into the centre (his long term wish will be satisfied), Ozil and Santi can be inside wingers, giving Wenger the chance to field a midfield bedrock of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta/Flamini.
What about that for options, eh?