Mesut Özil and co are already reawakening memories in North London of the ‘Invincibles’ before the start of the Premier League. With a repeat of 2004’s performance when Jens Lehmann’s team went a season without defeat, Arsenal should again become English champions. And the bearer of hope for Arsenal? World Cup winner Özil.
The 26-year-old is going into his third year with the Gunners and is dreaming of his first league title after already winning two FA Cups. “The team is completely together. Finishing third in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup is no accident,” said Özil. “I think we are even better than last year, and we are daring ourselves to improve this year.”
Özil has shown during the Emirates Cup that he can play his part in this. It may have been a pre-season tournament, but one of high quality – and only one week before the Charity Shield against champions Chelsea on Sunday. The playmaker was imperious in the team’s 6-0 win over Lyon, and he was the only player to remain in the stating XI for the 1-0 win over Wolfsburg. During his 45-minute appearance, he was the best player on the pitch.
Experts dare Arsenal to upset odds
Afterwards the British media were fulsome in their praise of the former Schalke and Bremen man. “He is simply a wonderful footballer who can do almost anything with his magical left foot,” wrote the Mirror. “In the second half of last season he showed he was worth every penny of his record £50 million transfer. In the Independent they made the following judgement following the game against the German runners-up and DFB Cup winners: “He already appears to be progressing. This pre-season has shown how strong Arsenal can be when their record signing is on form. He plays passes that few in the world can do.” And the Guardian wrote: “he appears more focused.”
The fact that he has had a proper summer holiday for the first time in years has clearly done Özil good. The same can be said for other players such as World Cup winner and defensive rock Per Mertesacker, who have also shown astonishing early season form. And now many experts are daring Arsenal to upset the odds in the expected four-way fight at the top with Chelsea, Manchester City and Bastian Schweinsteiger’s new club Manchester United.
“Arsenal have their best team in a decade,” according to the judgement from the Times. The Guardian also wrote: “for the first time since leaving Highbury, they seem genuine contenders for the title.” Club legend Ray Parlour, who won three titles with the Gunners between 1989 and 2004, declared: “This is definitely the best team since the Invincibles.”
Özil can also play in his preferred number ten position which he is also targeting with a view to the 2016 Euros. Wenger let him roam freely up front against Lyon. “I’ve really happy in the number ten position and want to back up the trust shown in me,” said Özil. The Mirror believes: “If Wenger stops pushing Özil out wide, he will definitely become the most important man for Arsenal.”
