We are pleased to have HongJie Ong as our guest blogger today. He has a blog at http://hongjieong.wordpress.com.
In this post, HongJie, a passionate football fan, will write about major Arsenal summer signing Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
Our guest blogger is HongJie Ong (Photo courtesy of HongJie Ong)
Read on, to find out what HongJie, an information and development executive, has to say about this creative German playmaker.
**********
He left behind his sunny Madrid days for a more dull and rainy London when Arsenal swooped. But Mesut Oezil is probably the most talented player to have made such a dramatic transfer deadline in recent Premiership seasons.
Furore at Real
Arsenal fans cheered, for at long last they have a player worthy of being called a “superstar” at
Mesut Ozil has swapped Real Madrid’s Bernabeu for the Emirates Stadium.
the club. It’s been a long time coming for them, and kudos to Arsene Wenger for finally succeeding to lure a player of Özil’s magnitude to play for the club. However, there’s been a big uproar over at Madrid. Real had probably sold their best attacking kingpin in midfield. For example, in 32 appearances for Real Madrid last season (2012/2013), he helped to create 92 goal-scoring chances, often creating one every 22 minutes (Source: eplindex.com). More alarmingly, is how this ruckus has overshadowed their new No 11, Gareth Bale, as the “most expensive player.”
In just a span of a few days, Kaka and Özil have left Real Madrid rather bare on creativity. Now they are short of players to pull strings for the goal scorers, such as those two magnificent midfielders, for Ronaldo and Bale. Ronaldo, who has never been afraid to voice out his own opinions, has already slammed Real’s decision to offload Özil. Who can blame him? For it was Özil who bossed the midfield and set up his goals. It always takes two hands to clap and now we may begin to see a sulking Ronaldo. His rather tame goal celebration may prove all is not right when Ronaldo banged in his 203th goal in his 203th game for the club via a loose ball.
There is no smoke without fire
The public spat is pretty much on between Özil and Madrid, for it is said that Real Madrid did not give him proper respect. Özil pretty much wanted to stay, but what higher management thought of him could have been the final nail in the coffin for Özil to leave the club. It is without a doubt Wenger is one of the top managers in Europe and he appreciated Ozil’s silky moves and contributions on the field. For it was his personal call to Özil which made him became Arsenal‘s new number 11. On the other hand, Real Madrid only want to maintain their “Galacticos” such as Bale and Ronaldo for marketing purposes and selling jerseys, at a time when Madrid are in a financial slump.
Another day’s work in the office
Ozil had a great debut here and things are looking bright.
Was there even match day debut nerves for this man? Arsenal’s new number 11, ironically took just 11 minutes to make his mark on his debut in the BPL, when a delicious through-ball sent Oliver Giroud clear on goal before slotting it past Sunderland’s goalkeeper. He also had a hand in the build-up to Aaron Ramsey’s first goal before being substituted on the 80th minute mark. Wenger claims Özil had been “under the weather”, but imagine the damage he could do with his assists when Özil is fully fit and running?
Now a Gooner, always a Gooner?
It’s time to throw away the record books and stats, for it’s a whole new ball game over in England. There’s a wealth of creativity in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield room. From what I feel, the person to be left out of the squad would be Tomaz Rosicky. A mini revival propelled him into the starting line-up, but he’s still a pale self as compared to during his time at Borrussia Dortmund.
Özil would be keen to impress his new club. And if he does, things do not look good for Rosicky and maybe Carzola. For too many cooks (creativity players) spoil the broth.
Only time will tell.
To see more of HongJie’s blog posts, do check out his blog at http://hongjieong.wordpress.com
Leave a Comment