Who Will Drop Out Of The Arsenal Side As A Result Of Ozil's Arrival?

The signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid is a sensational one, in my eyes, and Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger, should be applauded. However, with a new big money player someone has to lose their place in the side, so who will it be at the Gunners?

Ozil is an innovative playmaker who can thread a size five football through the eye of a needle, and to function at his best he needs to be deployed in the hole behind the forward - Olivier Giroud, in this case.

So, with Wenger operating in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has taken the footballing world by storm, Ozil has to slot into the central slot in the three.

With Theo Walcott on one side of him, probably his right, it will mean that Santi Cazorla will be deployed in a wider area than he was used to most of last season. The Spaniard is a flexible player and will no doubt interchange with Ozil, who is largely left footed, at will.

Jack Wilshere is nailed-on a place in one of the defensive pivots, which leaves the sole space up for grabs. Mikel Arteta, who had an extraordinary season last year, Aaron Ramsey, who has started incredibly well this season, and Tomas Rosicky, who like Ramsey has sparkled so far this term, are the trio who will be fighting for the space.

My money is on Ozil starting life at the Emirates on the bench (for the first 60 minutes or so), before entering on his debut as a substitute and totally outshining every other Gooner. Ramsey, Arteta and Wilshere are likely to rotate, will Rosicky will drop to the bench and be depended on as a super-sub.

By my reckoning, the Arsenal front six will look like this for most of the rest of the Premier League:

----------Wilshere-----Ramsey-----------

-----Walcott-----Ozil------Cazorla-------

-------------------Giroud--------------------

What do you reckon, Gooners?

Comments

[B Johnson]

DROP WALCOTT!!!

[slugboy]

rotation to prevent burnout

[Gooner4Life]

Although I'm extremely happy with Ozil coming to Arsenal, I have to say we bought a player who plays a position we are not short in. I would've liked to see another CB and natural striker. I a, very happy with Flamini joining, he will play a huge role coming off the bench, especially with his versatility to play almost anywhere! I see the team lining up this way.

GK- szcenzny
Def- Sagna, mertesacker, koscielny, Gibbs
Arteta Ramsey
Walcott. Ozil. Cazorla
Giroud

Subs: Wiltshire, rosicky, sanogo, viviano, Flamini, Monreal, vermaelen

Depends on what formation we play... I can see wenger opting for a traditional 4-4-2 formation with Walcott and Giroud up front as well.

Go GUNNERS!

[Rachid]

I don't think you should necessarily rule out Podolski over there though. Cazorla may be the better overall footballer but Podolski has this thing about him where he can produce a moment of magic out of anything. That is a strong enough reason for him to be considered there just as much as Cazorla would be considered.

[Sam]

1 thing is for sure after the capture of Flamini and Ozil ( YES MEZUT OZIL!!!) we have lots of options once all are fit and fighting. This article does not even mention Podolski and Chamberlain..
Remember the OX is being earmarked for a central role by Wenger.

[Cazicky]

@Gooner4Life
Your Lineup is spot on. This is how it'll look like. Arteta needs to be there, otherwise we have no DM.

Good rotation can happen, with Rosicky, Podolski, Ox, Wilshere and whatever. :D

[famous]

I think
szc
sagna mert kocs gibbs

arteta flamini

walcot ozil cazorla

giroud/ poldo

bench Rosicky super sub, wilshere to put more presure, verm to cordinate, monreal to ease pressure, sanogo and the ox with viviano

[UknowitmakesCesc.]

I like the post and the team selection but I disagree that Wilshere is a nailed on position. I personally feel that he needs to up his game to get into the team at the moment, because Ramsey is there ahead of him on merit and that is the way it should be. I agree with Rachid and Sam, Podolski can push Santi for competition on the left and also brings added discipline and work-rate to the left of our midfield.

Flamini, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere and Coquelin (when back from loan as he is quality and one for the future) can compete for the two DMF positions. Ideally I'd like to see the OX given a chance to compete there too but it might be too soon, so for now, he can give added competition to Walcott and Rosicky for the right midfield position. All in all, this can only bode well for our beloved Arsenal. This is the first time, in a long time that I think our starting eleven have genuine competition for there places, with the exception of Kos and Ozil who at present, are the first names on the team-sheet by the brilliance, heart, determination and consistency of their performances for the last few seasons. The only other positions now I feel we need additional players are CB and RB and a genuine world class strike (or not far from it) to compete with Ollie up front. I'd also like to see Walcott given a chance upfront as he is a more clinically finisher than he is often given credit for and with Ozil threading the through balls, is bound to be prolific.

[DrFle]

@Gooner4Life

Stolen the formation from my mind bro. :D spot on.

Ramsey has shown he is much more reliable than Wilshere, Rosicky is 32 so him as a super-sub replacing Oezil or Santi would be perfect.

Arteta is a beast, but he's no spring chicken, so expect him to be substituted by Wilshere or Flamini depending on what the game needs at that point in time.

What makes me sad is that this leaves out 2 of my favorite players :( Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain

But we'll worry about that after they come back from injury.

[DarlingbudsofArse]

Remember we have 4 competitions to vie for and therefore all will have their chance. I cannot see Ozil playing week in week out as Wenger would love to rest him now and again. We have capable replacements now barring any more injuries. This is where rotation is very vital. Wilshere, Diaby, Podolski, Rosicky, the OX, Zalalem, Flamini, Arteta and the likes will all get their chance to shine. The only problem is convincing them to understand this.