WHY FLAMINI, NOT OZIL, COULD PROVE MORE OF A SHORT TERM SUCCESS FOR ARSENAL

Ozil: The Statement Signing?

Since the close of the transfer window on Monday night, Arsenal fans worldwide have been living in an orgasmic state. More like a prisoner who has just gotten freedom after an eight year incarceration. Of course, the surprise deadline-day signing of Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil for a club record £42.5m has turned the almost dejected global Gunner fan-base into delirium. Maybe, that word is not enough to explain it. As my colleague Khalela puts it, Gunners are almost in a “wanking” state as we speak. 

The excitement has been palpable. Even the callers into my daily football show, Football Frenzy, have suddenly turned the corner. Where as a couple of months ago I’d get calls like “Ufuoma, please help us tell Wenger that enough is enough, he should sign,” “Ufuoma, don’t you have Wenger’s number? Can you please tell him we are tired and fed up with his stinginess?”, the last couple of days have seen a total turn around in reactions. Now all I get is “Ufuoma, Wenger is the best coach ever,” “Arsenal will win the EPL this season,” bla bla bla.

Mesut Ozil is a Gunner

Well, who can blame them when even I have spent the last couple of days watching every Ozil YouTube video I come across?  Truth remains that signing Ozil is more than a bargain. It is more of a statement. More like Arsenal telling the world that, hey, our lean years where we had to pay off our stadium debts and sell our best players are over. Already, reports suggest there’s been a twelve percent increase in shirt sales in the official Arsenal online store. That’s how much of goodwill the Ozil signing has had. 

Matthew Flamini's second coming

However, in the midst of the euphoria, one signing Arsene Wenger has made this summer has gone largely without fanfare. A certain “renegade”, who chose to dump the club after a spectacular two good year spell, is back on the club’s books. Matthew Flamini’s second coming has not received as much fan fare and rightly so. The Frenchman was signed at a time when many fans were yearning for a big name signing; wanted the club to match its words (CEO Ivan Gazidis’ statement in June there’s money to spend) with action; and were tired of rival fans throwing jabs and insults at them. As if this wasn’t enough, signing a free agent who was just training with the first team months after seeing a £40m and 1 bid for Luis Suarez evaporate was the last thing fans wanted to see. But Wenger stuck to his guns and got his man even jokingly apologizing last Sunday he didn’t pay £25m for Flamini.

Flamini: The New Leader?

Now while Ozil’s capture has deservedly hugged all the headlines and got fans into frenzy, Flamini’s addition methinks, will prove more of a short term success. First, Flamini comes with experience: the experience of playing for a highly rated team as AC Milan as well as winning a league title; something very few players in the present squad can boast of in their CV. Am I the only one who saw a bit of  the old Patrick Veira’s leadership in Flamini on Sunday? He was busy barking orders, ordering his younger teammates (Ramsey in particular) about. Maybe, just maybe, it was the passion of the derby, but having that sort of leadership quality on the field is much appreciated and that’s another edge our free signing will add.

Flamini during last Sunday's NLD

More so, Flamini’s addition truly adds a defensive minded midfielder that fans have cried for.  Ok, I accept that many would have rather Wenger paid Marounne Felliani’s buy-out clause two months ago since fans still believe Alexander Song was never properly replaced since the Camerounian joined Barcelona. Now, while Arsenal have, in my opinion, been better off since he left (Arsenal conceded 43 goals in the league in 2010/2011 season and 49 in 2011/2012 with Song as DM but 37 last season), Arteta who has taken over that role can’t be regarded as a tough tackler.  And you do need that sometimes. Flamini’s cameo performance against Spurs last Sunday is a pointer. In fact, that lunge that got him a booking in the game has been rarely seen from Arsenal midfielders in recent times. If Flamini can offer as much as he did in the North London Derby, then this promises to be an exciting season.

Flamini battling Kaka in the UCL in his first stint

And most importantly, Flamini’s addition offers an exciting array of positions that the manager can play his compatriot. Many have questioned why Wenger hasn’t signed another defender and I think Le Prof is right not to. In Kolscieny and Per, The Gooners have a fantastic defensive partnership. Vermaleen isn’t far off from training and Bacary Sagna has proved he can be that 4^th centre back during pre season and the first few games. What this means is that Flamini can deputise as right back. He can even play as left back if the team’s injury luck doesn’t end. Who remembers Flamini played left back in a defense that went ten games in the UEFA Champions League without conceding a goal some six years ago? Well, I do. 

So guess what, while Ozil will prove to be that statement signing on and off the field for Arsenal and the name that gets all Gooners excited and expectant this season, let’s not forget that a certain Frenchman who has returned to the club on a free can prove to be more of a catalyst to the team’s short term success.