Former Arsenal legend Robert Pires has stated that he expects the club record signing Mesut Ozil to become a major player for the club from next season onwards. After having a great start to his Arsenal career for the first few months in the Premier league, the standards of Ozil slipped down in alarming fashion. Towards the end of the campaign, the German international was so poor that there have been rumours that he could be dropped from the first team. Having cost an incredible £ 42 million from Real Madrid on the final day of last summer’s transfer window, this would represent an incredible loss for the team.
Frenchman Pires, though, have recalled that he took a long time to adapt to the pace of the Premier league. He has recalled that it took him as much as six or seven months in order to play at the level he has been doing in his previous clubs. Pires’ words will provide a lot of confidence to Arsenal fans, who have grown disillusioned with the recent performances of the German international – especially in the big matches. Pires was speaking ahead of the FA Cup final with Hull city, which provides Arsenal with a great opportunity to lift the first major trophy in nine years.
“I like Ozil. He is a very good player, with quality. My first game was at Sunderland and when you come to the UK it’s very difficult because the football is completely different. For me, it was very difficult for six or seven months. When I see Mesut, I say he has had a good first Premier League season. Next season, he will be much better. After six or seven months, it gets easier. It’s totally different in the UK and now Mesut knows!” said Pires.