Mesut Ozil's transfer - Real Madrid's biggest blunder, Arsenal's best business in years

Mesut Ozil at Real Madrid

Ozil showed his class and consistency in his first season, providing an astounding 25 assists, the highest for any player in Europe that season. The next season, Jose Mourinho handed Ozil the number 10 shirt, explicitly declaring his faith in making the German midfielder Madrid’s primary playmaker.

Ozil did not disappoint as his 17 assists (highest in La Liga that season) helped Madrid to the league title. He was nominated for UEFA Best Player in Europe award, and was the youngest player in the top 10 list.

In the lead up to Euro 2012, Ozil scored 5 times and provided 7 assists, the highest by any European international in the qualifying campaign, to help Germany win 10 out of their 10 games. He was also voted their best international player for 2011, and went on to earn 2 Man of the Match awards as he provided 3 assists in the tournament.

In the season after that, Ozil once again displayed his masterclass as he went on to grab a jaw dropping 26 assists, beating every other player in the La Liga that season.

Jose Mourinho said about Ozil, “Ozil is unique. There is no copy of him, not even a bad copy.” He went on to say, “Everyone loves him and sees a bit Zidane and Figo in him. He will create history at Real Madrid.”

Ozil’s technical statistics from last season also indicate a massive blunder on Real Madrid’s part, to let go of arguably one of the best playmakers in world football.

For example, from 2008-2013, Ozil has provided 72 assists, the highest in Europe, and 4 clear of Lionel Messi with 68. In this period, Ozil has also created 492 chances, a good way ahead of the next contender, Chelsea‘s Juan Mata (429).

Gareth Bale himself does not possess a statistical advantage over Ozil, as over the last season, the German has trumped him in almost all tactical attributes.

Since August 2010, Bale has completed 3443 passes at a successful pass percentage of 79.15% while Ozil has 4334 passes at 85.65%. Ozil has also created more chances (323 against Bale’s 212), has more assists (a massive 47 to Bale’s 15), a better dribble completion ratio (46.85% to Bale’s 38.83%) and a better successful cross ratio (28.83% to Bale’s 23.43%).

Does the 86 million GBP acquisition really justify the sale of a 42.5 million GBP midfield genius?

The Real Madrid dressing room certainly thinks otherwise. Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly disturbed as he said, “He was the player who knew my moves in front of goal. I’m angry about Ozil leaving.”

Sergio Ramos tweeted a picture of Ozil’s last Madrid shirt, and said, “Ozil would be the very last player I would sell from Madrid. I don’t understand this.”

The Arsenal dressing room on the other hand have been elated with their new arrival, Jack Wilshere describing his transfer as “the signing of the summer.”

Arsenal’s Ozil deal looks to be the best bit of business that Arsenal has done in years. With the “King of the assist” and his remarkable consistency in their ranks, Arsenal might just have an entirely different attacking dimension to their game this season.

Will the pass master continue to mesmerize amidst the rigors of the English game? 14th of September couldn’t come any sooner for the Gunners faithful, to watch the German genius ply his trade.