Showing posts with label Hássan Gülzár. Show all posts

Is Mesut Özil the man to fire Arsenal to the title this season?

Published 16th September 2013 By Hássan Gülzár @HassGeee

Arsenal fans have been made to wait two months, but their first marquee signing of the summer was worth it. Having already missed out on stellar strikers Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney, Arsene Wenger appears to have finally found some joy with another midfielder. But never mind, the capture of Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil is just cause for giddiness among the Gunners faithful.

After batting away persistent questioning and vitriol all summer, Wenger and Co. have finally come up trumps with their spanking-new ’No.10’’ With the Spanish giants signing Gareth Bale and Isco this summer, the talented German has become the sacrificial lamb for Carlo Ancelotti’s unforgiving new regime. But after three seasons at the Bernabeu, Madrid’s loss is the Gunners’ gain. While they’re still looking light up front despite a late attempt to snatch Demba Ba on loan from Chelsea, the capture of Ozil alone has brightened the outlook in North London, especially if the in-form Olivier Giroud continues firing.

So how will he slot into Wenger’s rigid 4-3-3 at the Emirates? Well, about as comfortably as Cinderella’s size fives, you’d expect. “ No player across Europe’s top five leagues has fashioned more assists since his move to Real Madrid’’ Arsenal fans are dreaming of the devastation to be caused by Santi Cazorla and his new partner at the tip of midfield with good reason, dependent on injuries and how Wenger chooses to play it, of course. But you don’t pay £42.5m for a player who won’t play in his best position, which could mean a shift out wide for Cazorla if both Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta are fit. Ozil, like his new Spanish team-mate, is predominantly a creator with the ability to chip in with his fair share of goals.


No player across Europe’s top five leagues has fashioned more assists than Ozil's 47 since his move to Real Madrid - and that's why Wenger is likely to create a team centered around his precocious new play maker. Indeed, since the 2008/09 campaign he's posted a minimum of 12 assists per season. That’s helped by his set-piece skills – he was Madrid’s regular free-kick and corner taker – which is good news for Gunners fans tired of Theo Walcott’s less-than stellar deliveries. With 84% passing accuracy last season, Ozil boasts a figure almost five percentage points higher than that of last season’s La Liga average – made even more impressive by his risk taking position.

More than spray the ball around comfortably in midfield, the 24-year-old makes things happen. His goal scoring record isn't that bad either  in fact, Ozil boasted La Liga’s best conversion rate last season after netting with 9 of his 30 shots (that’s 41% accuracy better than Lionel Messi’s 35%).

Simply, there’s absolutely nothing to dislike about this transfer from a Gunners perspective, and that’s rarely said where Arsenal fans are concerned. On the other hand Madrid supporters aren't happy, and they take some pleasing. The North Londoners might well not be knocking on the door of a first title in 10 years come May, but Ozil is precisely the type of signing the club have cried out for to at least stand a chance of competing where it matters. Breaking their transfer record almost three times over will be worth every penny where this one’s concerned.

Ozil makes his debut against Sunderland
What do you Gunners think? Let us know with your thoughts in the comment section below.

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The Mysterious Case of Gervinho

17th July 2013 By Hássan Gülzár @HassGeee


Arsenal’s Gervinho ‘Forehead’ has had his fair share of stick. Ever since his 11m move to Arsenal from Lille, the winger hasn’t quite made his mark, has been unable to come to terms with the pace and rigours of the Premier League, and has generally divided opinion, to put it mildly.

Unpredictable is the word which comes to mind when one watches the Ivorian on the field; when on the ball, he certainly has a few tricks up his sleeves and an aura of unpredictability to his game, which on paper should be an asset but as we’ve seen, it’s not always quite worked out in his favour.

Over the years, Arsenal sides have been known for their free-flowing football and attacking prowess. Since the last few seasons, however, things have changed. Opposition managers seem to have devised certain ways to shut Arsenal down and prevent them from playing their game. It simple: get men behind the ball, pack your own half, and let Arsenal pass in front of you in non-dangerous positions, denying them space to play their trademark free-flowing, quick-passing game.

All of which is usually followed by a quick counter attack or a dangerous ball above Arsenal’s midfield to put them a goal down. Rinse and repeat.

More and more teams have started employing this simple tactic now. It is therefore no wonder that this season, in particular, Arsenal have had trouble finding the net, or even mustering up an effort on goal until late in the game.

All of which explains why Wenger has opted to deploy Gervinho’s as a center-forward: the player’s quick feet and dribbling, excellent close-control, pace and movement should provide an excellent way of breaking packed, stubborn opposition defenses.

Operating mainly from the left wing last season, as an inverted-winger with a tendency to drift inwards the manager has used Gervinho in the center-forward position this season, but more in a del Bosque-style false-9, rather than as a traditional target-man. On paper, this should work out well for his team, and Gervinho is certainly a player who possesses all the qualities to make it work, he can dribble his way in and out of tight places, even when he’s closely marked, keep the ball in sticky situations, and bring Arsenal’s wingers (such as Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski) all of whom have the tendency to drift inside rather than stick to the byline into play as well.

And while the Ivorian did enjoy an explosive start to the season albeit a brief one, scoring a few goals while settling into the new position he was being asked to play in, this horrendous Torres-esque miss from last night Capital One Cup game against Bradford, from 2 yards out no less, pretty much sums him up as a player, as well as his time at Arsenal.

To his credit, Gervinho is industrious and an extremely hard, always looking to create something when on the ball, even getting into all the right positions. So why hasn't it worked out for him at Arsenal? Is it simply a lack of confidence in front of goal, or is the player that Arsenal paid £11m for simply not good enough? I highly doubt it’s the latter, especially when one of the brightest young talents in world football, Eden Hazard says that he’s the best player he’s played with!

What do you Gunners think? Let us know with your thoughts in the comment section below. 

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Abou Diaby Unfulfilled Potential ?

8th July 2013 By Hássan Gülzár @HassGeee



Arsenal midfielders Abou Diaby is a top player when he is fit. There lies the problem “when he is fit.” Diaby, a player who is held in high regard by Arsenal fans, and everyone in world football, for his ability to dribble past opponents with ease with close ball control, who also contains an excellent first touch and is adept in both attack and defence.

When fully fit, there is no doubt that Diaby is one of the best box to box midfielder’s in the Premier League, and this is why he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Arsenal and France. It is clear to see that when Diaby plays for Arsenal, he fills the physical void that was left when Song left Arsenal for Barcelona last summer, and he is the missing link in our midfield. It has been said that the reason Wenger let Song go to Barcelona was because he said he had a replacement in Diaby, but once again, injuries had gotten the better of Diaby this season.

Since joining the Gunners in 2006, Diaby has been side-lined 37 times. During that time, torn MCL’s, broken legs, ankles and hamstring injuries have seen the Frenchmen struggle to get in a consistent run of matches.

This summer is crucial for Arsenal and though they haven’t signed any star players yet, the indications are such that some marquee names could arrive at the club. So one must question themselves, is this the end of Abou Diaby?

Diaby signed with the Gunners from French club Auxerre for £2m when he was 19, choosing to shape his career in North London, instead of signing with rivals Chelsea.

With so much promise and expectation, why Diaby hasn’t developed into a world-class player during his eight years at Arsenal? Diaby has featured in 42% of Arsenal’s Premier League games over the past eight seasons, and has featured 182 times since joining the club at the start of 2006.

Diaby’s career has been unable to make significant progress as a player over the past years, and it has affected both Arsenal and France. The Arsenal midfielder has played in 40 games over the last three seasons, most notably in 2011/2012 when Diaby made five appearances off the bench. When he has played more than 30 minutes this season, the Gunners have won 12 games from a possible 14, losing to only Chelsea and Manchester City. Meanwhile, France has lost only once post-World Cup, when Diaby has played for a minimal 45 minutes. Diaby being fragile and injury prone is clear, but his influence on both sides has been missed.

Diaby’s statistics show that the Frenchman’s absence from the side is massive. Diaby is one of the best passers with an 88.05 passing percentage, and is also one of the club’s top players in terms of interceptions and completed dribbles. It was reported at the end of March, that the Frenchman would be shelved for approximately nine months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Diaby has ended another season sidelined, and it leaves many fans curious as to what the future holds for the Arsenal midfielder.

The Arsenal board could sell him, but what side would be interested in taking a gamble and signing him? With Diaby heading into what should be the peak of his career; is he capable of staying fit and displaying why he could be one of the top midfielders in world football? What is certain is that failure to stay fit over the next few seasons will see Diaby become the man that should have, could have and would have, but didn't.

What do you the fans think of Diaby? Is it finally time to find a replacement? Let us know your thoughts and coming up on ArsenalSupremo is all the latest updates on the transfer front and the start of the Arsenal Asia Tour!

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