TalkSPORT presenter and the man people love to hate Adrian Durham believes Arsene Wenger missed a trick with Christian Eriksen, insisting the Frenchman should have signed the Dane instead of Mesut Ozil.
Wenger managed to sign the German playmaker from Real Madrid on a club record fee of £42 million last summer, sparking excitement amongst the Arsenal faithful and players alike.
Many believe the arrival of Ozil has had a major impact on the team’s performances this season, but Durham reckons that’s not the case whatsoever:
‘Ozil has done some very good things since joining Arsenal but you wouldn’t say he is the player who’s had the biggest impact to take them to the top.
‘Maybe his arrival alone raised the performance of other players but the assessment that he may have a lengthy lull during the season has been proven correct. So far it hasn’t proved costly for the Gunners but it’s fair to say his team-mates are carrying him at this point in the season.’
Durham then went on to speak about Wenger’s fruitless project and claims the Frenchman didn’t have to splash out so much money on Ozil, maintaining an £11 million move for Eriksen would have made more sense and held the Arsenal manager’s credibility of not spending big on players:
‘By signing Ozil for a record fee, and giving him an eye-watering salary in the region of £140,000 a week, Wenger has clearly confirmed that the club has decided to abandon his well-intentioned, but ultimately, fruitless project of not spending big.
‘But that huge spend on one player didn’t need to be made. If Wenger casts his eyes across north London he will see Christian Eriksen, an £11m 21-year-old controlling games, in charge of midfield, defending and creating, as Tottenham enjoy a golden run of form right now.
‘Had Wenger signed Eriksen, his project would still have credibility and he would have a player ready made for Arsenal’s style.’
Durham is clearly trying to ruffle feathers and get Arsenal fans questioning Wenger’s decision to sign Ozil, but not this one.
Ozil is a world-class player – he’s proven his quality when he was at Werder Bremen and, until last summer, at Real Madrid.
Yes the German may be having a dry spell but what player doesn’t. He still has to adapt to the Premier League and I’m sure as he does we will see the best from Mesut.
Should we have signed Eriksen instead of Ozil?
Although the Dane is a young talent and would’ve come at a cheaper price, Ozil, for me, just pips him in the quality scale. Ozil is also more experienced and possesses the winning mentality having lifted trophies with Real.
Wenger may be frugal but he’s not stupid – he must have seen something in Ozil that Eriksen lacks and opted to sign the former instead of the latter.
Ozil was signed to appease the fans at failing with all other targets. Arsenal calculated that it was worth spending the money to avoid the fan backlash. And at 25 Ozil has a good re sale value within 4 seasons or so if he wants to move. Eriksen would not have appeased the fans so really a choice between the 2 is moot point.
shit article just trying to drum up banter for traffic
Why did you read it then?
Writer is only asking a basic question AFTER what Durham commented.
“… he must have seen something in Ozil that Eriksen lacks and opted to sign the former instead of the latter.”
Yeah, he also saw something in Gervinho that Hazard lacks and opted to sign the former instead of the latter
What a pointless debate which will just lead to insults between the 2 fans. Ozil is a top player, but why did Real sell him? He has influenced some games, but been anonymous in others. Is he influencing enough in a team that is simply made for him? No. Is he a good signing? Yes. Will he deliver for Arsenal long term? Doubtful. Eriksen is not the finished article, but has some real quality. Is he has good as Ozil yet? No, but not far behind. Could he prove to be the better long term signing? Yes. Are Arenal happy with Ozil? Yes. Are Tottenham happy with Eriksen? Yes. Is Durham the biggest prick in football? No, Mourinho just pips him
spot on
Its like kindergarden on here – grow up FFS!
Spurs fan here. Ronaldo got the hump when Ozil left madrid for a reason although he hasnt shown his best yet.
Eriksen looks a cracking little player and is only starting a run of games now and will get better and better.
as for the Arsenal sitting pretty at the top – yep, they are their on merit and time will tell.
however, spurs are 8 points behind and if AVB had left a couple of months earlier im pretty sure that the 15 goals in 16 games would have been a lot lot different. Both teams seem to be on the up but obviously the team at the top of the league currently have their target set higher at the mo.
Tomas – school finished early today???
Durham is just a bitter little man who keeps his job by being outrageous. Anyone who falls for his spill is more gullible than a turkey on Christmas day thinking he is the guest of honour. The man is an undesirable who crawls on to the pond life scale somewhere between Jeremy Kyle and Jimmy Savile. Just don’t rise to his drivel switch off when his show starts and NEVER call in and he will back in the pond by then of winter or before u can Ken Barlow is a great grandad
Ozil is a complete player than Erickson, the age difference is an understatement because so many players got better @ the age of 25–29 still hot and creative. The present of Ozil alone in the packing squad is the beginning of fear for he’s opponent. Experience states that ozil has motivated the spirit of his team this far…. Guess who’s on the Top.. Erickson or Ozil.. Guess who spended more than £99.000 box.
Ozil is one-footed and cannot defend, Eriksen uses both feet extremely well and can also defend. As a spurs fan, I wouldn’t exchange Eriksen for any Arsenal player, including Ozil, simply because he has the potential to be the best player in the world.
U’v got no point dere bro,cos one legged messi is the best player in the history of football
Some fair points Tom. As a Gooner I feel Ozil could show a bit more, but I’m sure he’s still finding his feet in the Premier League. As for Eriksen, I’m not going to lie, I would’ve loved for Wenger to sign him as he has great potential. In both cases they won’t be at their respective clubs for the long-term
quite simply put Ozil has created more clear cut chances this season than any other player in all of the top league in Europe!
so in answer to the question… NO!
Eriksen is by far the better signing, how can you idiots even debate that? 11 million for Eriksen and 42.5 million for ozil… You got mugged off big time! Hahaha
You spurs fans dont half talk shite SOLDADO for a start.You cant keep a manager and cant even get in champions league arsenal are and always will better spurs
What in hell Spuds fan wrote in this side. Ozil plays much better Club and national than Eriksen. At age 21 He (Ozil) attract every big Clubs eventually he gets to Real Madrid. Eriksen age 21 Barca don’t want him even Real or Manchester United or Bayern don’t want him. So don’t mention this Again it so redigulous compare him (Eriksen) to Ozil. Eriksen is a talent but he will not reach Ozil. Spuds 5th place and Arsenal 1st place at the table. Spuds in £110m transfer used and Arsenal spend £40m but Arsenal Money get best results.