Playing Sanchez up front paid off this time as the Gunners managed their first win of the season. The Chilean showed excellent form and finished the game with a 92% pass accuracy, a goal and an assist for Ozil’s goal. The German also looked pretty good for his first game of the season since returning from Euro.
“Özil was excellent, especially in the first half” Wenger said. “In the second half we dropped physically, but of course we need him. I think what we have seen from him today is what we want of him, assists but also to score goals. That’s what he needed to add to his game. He is not physically there completely but what we want from Ozil is assists and goals and I hope he can get that this season, 10 or 15 goals plus the chances he creates.” [Quotes sourced from The Guardian]
It is clear that Wenger wants more from the German who is expected to improve his scoring rate compared to last season..
“We had a good cushion at half-time. At the moment we are not completely there physically and could see that in the second half.”
“I believe we paid a heavy price in our first game because we were not ready, we did not have the players back. Now Mesut is nearly ready, not quite, and he goes again. For us the break is not welcome. To reach our best level will take perhaps two more weeks.”
The players’ fitness will likely always be Arsenal’s biggest adversary and this international break is pretty dangerous for the Gunners just as Wenger said. Hopefully they will return in good shape after international duty.
Wenger also gave fans probably the best news of the past couple of weeks:
“We have bought two players – Mustafi and Perez. They will integrate into the team now and we will help them join the squad. We had to work very hard to get signings done. We have not got any plans for anyone else now.” [Quotes sourced from BBC]
It is rumored that the two cost around £40-50million which makes Arsenal’s total transfer total around £100million which to be honest, few expected. Hopefully by the 10th of September when the North Londoners face Southampton and then PSG, both Perez and Mustafi will be ready to play.