Özil to fenerbahce is done apparently. Project rebuild begins

Such a class player on his first year and such a disappointment after.

If there’s one thing we have learned from the big money transfers of Özil and Pépé it’s that the player in questions character needs to be considered as equally as talent when making a huge money transfer.

That’s why Tierney has become so central to what we do. He’s determined to get down the other end of the pitch with the ball and do some damage to the opposition.

Your not gonna get it.

It will work in some games and others not because the players we are reliant on for inspiration and creativity are staggeringly 19 and 20 years old and aren’t experienced or polished enough to win games week in week out. Yet.

If their performances aren’t acceptable then the alternative is to bring in Pépé,Willian and Nketiah and I’m sure you will agree that it hasn’t worked out at all when we have done that.

The truth is that we aren’t better than an 8th to 11 the placed side at the moment and the harder truth is that in reality nothing much on the field should be unexpected from a group of players like we have with their limitations.

It’s gonna be painful and frustrating but we will need to see this out .

Ornstein reporting Özil to Fenerbache to be done next week. Could be a huge saving for us on just 6 months wages plus any possible loyalty bonus. Although here’s probably an ‘incentive’ from us for him to leave.

Ornstein very accurate on Arsenal news

Obviously, our finances are not in great shape right now but if there was ever a time where the Kroenke's money could get a lot of bang for its buck the time is now with lots of clubs in severe financial difficulty and willing or having to sell players, and without the worry of FFP. A big investment from the Kroenke's and some smart signings and we could make huge strides very quickly.

Sadly, it won't happen.

So where does Özil rank in the all time greatest Arsenal players list? Top 20? Top 50? Top 100?

We’d have to balance the talent of the player against the teams they played in, what they won and their influence.
These lists can’t just be on trophies because someone like Cygwin won more prestigious trophies than Özil, but there must be some bearing so less fashionable players like Ray Parlour aren’t overlooked

It also can’t, or shouldn’t, be focussed on the more sexy positions like midfield and forwards. Otherwise Campbell, Adams, McLintock, O’Leary, Keown and others, let alone numerous full backs and in goal the likes of Seaman, Jennings and Lehmann, wouldn’t get a look in.

From that, no way is Özil anywhere near the top twenty. Indeed, without bothering to list them I’d be very surprised if I couldn’t name fifty better than him. The top hundred would be my guess, but that is taken off the top of my head after reading your post, and without thinking about it.

It also can’t, or shouldn’t, be focussed on the more sexy positions like midfield and forwards. Otherwise Campbell, Adams, McLintock, O’Leary, Keown and others, let alone numerous full backs and in goal the likes of Seaman, Jennings and Lehmann, wouldn’t get a look in.

From that, no way is Özil anywhere near the top twenty. Indeed, without bothering to list them I’d be very surprised if I couldn’t name fifty better than him. The top hundred would be my guess, but that is taken off the top of my head after reading your post, and without thinking about it.

So where does Özil rank in the all time greatest Arsenal players list? Top 20? Top 50? Top 100?

We’d have to balance the talent of the player against the teams they played in, what they won and their influence.
These lists can’t just be on trophies because someone like Cygwin won more prestigious trophies than Özil, but there must be some bearing so less fashionable players like Ray Parlour aren’t overlooked

Certainly not top 50 Bernard, I agree. Struggling to make top 100 I'd say, not on natural ability (he'd be much higher) but on overall contribution to Arsenal.

On overall contribution, would he rate above, say, Brian Talbot? No particularly reason for singling him out, except that that here must be scores and scores of players over the last century and a bit who were stalwarts in their day but are virtually forgotten now.

I try to only compare players I’ve seen. I can’t compare Liam Brady with Alex James, for example, or Ian Wright with Ted Drake.

Tomori the 23 year old chelsea CB is going to seal a loan to AC Milan, with an option to buy for £27m! This is a good young player who has played 1 season in the prem and has been dropped this season. Of Chelsea sell him for £27m that is crazy money. I see this time and time again from other clubs but never from us. I feel like we’re about 10 years behind the likes of chelsea in terms of selling and loaning out players

There must be a reason. They must be doing something we simply aren’t. Maybe simply they have better players worth more

Paul has changed his social media M10 logo to Fenerbache colours, he’s definitely going.
So Özil, Kolasinac gone, Sokratis very likely to go this window. That’s probably as good as we could have hoped for in terms of outs. Really need another player in

Of course ‘Paul’ was a great autocorrect from Özil

I was hesitating to ask. I was worried that everyone except me would know who Paul is.

Me too

I was hesitating to ask. I was worried that everyone except me would know who Paul is.

Yes, I've been wondering about it all afternoon. Most interesting thing to happen all day!

I try to through in a few more autocorrect names if only to keep you all on your toes.

I read somewhere that Arsenal will be meeting the difference between his Fenerbahce wage and the £350k a week he was on with us. Is that not the case then, as the same report said Özil had made it quite clear to Arsenal that he wouldn’t move this month unless they did that?

No Bernard we played hard ball. Some News magnate has picked up his media rights and is paying £350k to cover his wages weekly.

All best to your future at Bournemouth Jack Wilshere.