Ivan Gazidis (Right) with Arsene Wenger "It is all about giving us the capability to go to the manager and say here is the money for yo...
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| Ivan Gazidis (Right) with Arsene Wenger |
These are the words from Arsenal's chief executive Ivan Gazidis at the beginning of the transfer window which came out as a statement of intent, it gave the signal that Arsenal was the team to look out for in the summer with a rumored transfer warchest based on healthier financial state, one could have expected a whole lot of transfer activity in the transfer window that just passed but that did not seem to happen.
Analysis and popular view from the supporters showed that Arsenal had to strengthen in certain areas of the pitch most especially shoring up the defence, getting another or a quality striker, and a competition for the man between the sticks. So how did Arsenal fare?
With the arrival of Yaya Sanogo, Mathieu Flamini, Emiliano Viviano, Mesut Özil to say Arsenal's approach was a failure would be over the top given the unexpected arrival of Ozil from Real Madrid.
The positives of the window?
Sanogo might not be the perfect example of the kind of striker the Arsenal faithful would have wanted at the moment but the lad has got potential, at a towering six foot three inches, has got quick pace, a decent first touch and an ability to hold up the ball and bring the team to play, talents which could be found in Villa's Christian Benteke. Sanogo is at the right club to develop and if he could stay injury-free might just have an impressive debut season considering Arsenal paid a whole lot of nothing to get him.
As well as the return of Mathieu Flamini, Wenger's soft touch towards his ex-players is commendable while some have not worked too well for him so have come back to do decent jobs and the midfielder's display against Tottenham proves the latter he is not the stellar signing of the pack but adds to the Gunners' thin arsenal.
Not much could be said about Viviano the goalie from Palermo, a die-hard Fiorentina fan who even named his daughter Viola has four caps to his name but has not played for Italy since June 2011, he is undoubtedly just an addition based on competition for the current Arsenal goalie Szczesny.
Star Signing?
Mezut the eye-popping star (dunno if pun was intended) is the pick of the bunch. Since August 2010 the midfielder has had 47 assists, higher than any other player from the Big 5 leagues, Ozil is quick with the ball, has the ability to lay out a killer pass and when analysts have often criticized Arsenal for looking lost in the final third, Ozil could be the final piece in the attacking puzzle.
Dubbed as the best no 10 by Jose Mourinho, it is clear why the fans of Real Madrid at Gareth Bale's unveiling sang that the German international should not be sold, his ability to drift to the center of the park and act as a supporting striker suggests that Ozil thrives best in a central role with the extra comfort of him being allowed to roam and get creative. He has got good vision and unlike other midfielders, has the ability to make the best decisions.
Coming to this Arsenal side means he could bring out the best in Giroud's finishing skills and Walcott's electric pace. Saying Wenger was a key factor in his arrival is key as well; Mezut is, undoubtedly, the new star of the team unlike him being in the shadows of his peers at Bernabeu, and has got the faith of the manager something that seemed would have eluded him this season had he stayed at Madrid. He is the marquee signing Arsenal fans have been dreaming of and his deadline day domination of social networks clearly shows his importance and the appreciation of his talents.
Flaws Of The Window?
Arsenal's success would not be about Ozil this season and might not be coming soon as the club have not addressed the key issues supporters would have hoped Ivan and Wenger would have paid more attention to. Arsenal wasted too much time flirting with people who they were unlikely to get, whether it was from top 6 rivals or from adding an extra pound to tip the scale in their favor.
Tony Adams' fears over the North London derby might have been put to rest with such resilient display from Arsenal but he has reasons to be vocal in his criticisms of Wenger shopping at the wrong side of the pitch, as it stands, Arsenal have only three recognized centre backs in their ranks who still look like they lack characters in them with Mertesacker looking in each game like the captain's armband is wearing him and not the other way round, why Wenger stalled in his pursuit of Ashley Williams is known to him alone or pursuing up on Aleksandr Dragovic? He has got a thin backline that only Vermalaen out of his defenders was absent on the pitch against Spurs- surprising?
Giroud is beginning to deliver but cannot do it all and Bendtner certainly can't be banked on, Sanogo's sixteen goals in twenty-four appearances is impressive only that it was spread out in three seasons and when he gets on a run he gets struck with injuries.
To add to this, Wenger's approach to this window was a mix of what-is-to-come and his economical stubborn self. The club's £10m bid for Newcastle's Cabaye was comical given that the Toon general is a French international at the moment and seen as indispensible by the club's hierarchy and the club also failed to land Luis Gustavo from Germany.
Wenger has gone from a master of the transfer market to someone lost in it, though his capture of Ozil is nothing short of genius but it also suggests the German international's arrival was to appease the fans for his inabilities to sign the star players promised and if Perez wanted to squeeze out every pound for his deadline day departure he could have rightly done so as well just that it was eased by the player's acceptance to leave, Madrid's willingness to sell, and no teams contesting.
Is Ozil twice a better player than RVP using transfer fee as the basis?
Is Ozil twice a better player than RVP using transfer fee as the basis?
Remark: Arsenal conceded 35 goals last season; not bad for a team but the highest out of the top four and the club have done nothing to address that. They missed out on Julio Cesar, Pepe Reina as well, the added creativity to a team short of quality strikers might give room to the case of plenty assists but no scorers and just like former Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch said 'Ozil is no Dennis Bergkamp' given that the German does not score that many goals (he scored nine last season in La Liga, four in his previous, and six in his debut season.)
Arsenal have gone into the market as a team ready to fight for the fourth spot, compete in the domestic cup with a bit of luck, and use continental experience to continue in the Champions League and Ozil's purchase is a window to other bigger signings.
Arsenal have gone into the market as a team ready to fight for the fourth spot, compete in the domestic cup with a bit of luck, and use continental experience to continue in the Champions League and Ozil's purchase is a window to other bigger signings.
Grade: C+
Written By: Odilibe Chuka Gregory. You can follow him on twitter
Written By: Odilibe Chuka Gregory. You can follow him on twitter
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