Have Arsenal found Mesut Ozil’s replacement?

With the off-season transfer window looming closer and closer, there is a lot of speculation in the media in regards to who Arsenal’s summer recruits will be. After reports that the Gunners could move for Barcelona star Arda Turan emerged earlier this week, reports from the Sun, the Metro and the Mirror are all claiming that the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will make a £20 million offer for the RB Leipzig star Emil Forsberg.

The Swedish international has been a revelation in Germany this season and has been touted as the ‘assist king of Europe’ after notching up as many as 15 assists in 25 Bundesliga appearances, which is more than any player in Europe’s top five Leagues. In addition, the 25-year-old has also scored eight goals and has been a key figure in Leipzig’s excellent Bundesliga campaign so far this season.

Despite having five years left to run on his current deal at the German club, it is understood that the player is keen on taking the next big step in his career and a move to Arsenal may represent a good opportunity at doing so. Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger has the reputation of moulding promising young players and Forsberg may also be excited by the prospect of playing alongside and learning from assist-wizard Mesut Ozil.

However, that is where the complication lies. While it is not too hard to figure out why the veteran Arsenal manager would be interested in him, my point of concern is what the Frenchman intends to do with the Leipzig player. Despite Forsberg making waves in Europe this season, he definitely cannot be a replacement for Ozil and I certainly hope that Wenger is not eyeing him up as a potential candidate to take the German’s place.

What would be ideal for Arsenal in this regard is if the player is being eyed up as an understudy to Ozil. Considering the fact that Forsberg is a versatile player capable of playing in midfield, behind the striker and even on the flanks as he tends to do for Leipzig, he would be a great signing for Arsenal and add to the creative threat of the Gunners’ attack.

Anurag

13 Comments

  1. No point in signing him if Wenger stays, at the end of the season the results will be the same…and the cycle of mediocrity will prevail.

  2. The real question is – have Arsenal found Wenger’s replacement?

  3. Well, if Ozil puts the effort into every game like yesterday, I’m more than happy for him to stay.

    Wenger….well….it’s still time for him to leave, but he has redeemed himself a little by coaching that type of performance from the team yesterday.

    Question is, can he continue that? Maybe the old man can learn some new tricks? It would seem so. He seems to have more grit about him. Maybe this last few months has reignited his will to win and love for the game? Hope so..

  4. Wengers replacement is of greater importance.

    Ozil lost the ball a lot yesterday when we had moments to relieve some of the city pressure. When he did so he strolled back whilst his team mates got back in shape.

    Turan is no replacement and Ozil is not irreplaceable. Wenger should be replaced.

    1. Turan is past his best and as you rightly say, Ozil was poor yesterday. He seemed to be having one of his stroller days . I also do not see many top teams showing an interest in taking him from us. He needs replacing. Also, apart from scoring, Sanchez was awful and I don’t think his pass completion rate was above 60%, something I have noticed about him in the past few weeks

      1. I don’t think Ozil is a God and I am often frustrated by his inconsistency, but to be honest I thought he had one of his better games yesterday and put in a good effort. Would not be surprised (but don’t know where to look it up – does anyone?) if he was in the top 4 of our team in terms of ground covered (which at least shows effort).

        I also thought Sanchez played well. He got better as the game went on and once Giroud went and Sanchez was back in the middle he was back to his most deadly self. Wenger plays him on the left wing, even Barca played him on the right (mostly) where he is much better. Still don’t understand why we don’t play Sanchez in the center every game, he would lead the PL in scoring.

        We can’t compare the Sanchez who was central striker in the first part of the season to the one who has been demoted back to the left wing. Different position with different demands and different statistical characteristics.

  5. Wenger is leaving and we need the new manager to be under the direct payroll of our billionaire owners

    Fans need to do something or the new manager will not be able to compete with others

      1. Zalalem was supposed to break into the first team a few seasons ago, but like so many of our youngsters he has sunk back into anonymity.

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