adminSUNDERLAND. — Mesut Ozil is expected to be handed an immediate introduction to life in the English Premier League when his new club Arsenal tackle Sunderland at the Stadium of Light today. The Germany star became the Gunners’ record signing when he completed a £42.4 million move from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day and his arrival provided an immediate lift after a frustrating close season for the London club.
Prior to Ozil’s capture, manager Arsene Wenger had added only free agents Mathieu Flamini and Yaya Sanogo to his squad, as well as on-loan goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.
The playmaker is expected to be thrust into action at the first opportunity after finally joining up with his new teammates following the international break.
Wenger says he has not yet taken a final decision on Ozil’s involvement, but any plans the manager may have had to ease the player into his new surroundings are likely to have been ended by the mid-week injury to Tomas Rosicky.
Rosicky picked up a thigh injury while away with the Czech Republic and with Lukas Podolski (hamstring) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) already sidelined, Wenger’s options are limited.
Ozil insists he is ready to take on the challenge after moving from the less physical Spanish league.
“I look forward to playing in this league. I watched so many English Premier League games,” he said.
“Of course, it’s very physical, it’s a man’s sport, and I want to prove myself in England.
“I also played in the Bundesliga and Spain and proved myself.”
Ozil and his teammates can expect a testing challenge at the Stadium of Light, despite Sunderland’s disappointing start to the campaign.
But after responding impressively to the opening day home defeat by Aston Villa with league victories over Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur — as well as progressing to the group stage of the Champions League — confidence is high within Wenger’s squad.
And they received a further boost after England duo Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott reported back fit following Tuesday’s goalless draw in Ukraine.
With all eyes on Ozil, Sunderland hope a debutant with a rather lower profile can help wrestle the limelight from the German.
Fabio Borini is set to figure for the hosts for the first time after sealing a season-long loan move from Liverpool shortly before the transfer deadline passed.
“The headlines are going to be around Ozil, but that puts a little bit of pressure on Arsenal because they’ve got this new player who they’ve spent a lot on,” said the Italian forward.
“There’ll be a lot of hype around him, but maybe that will be good because no-one will focus on us.”
Borini hopes to ease the mounting pressure on compatriot Paolo Di Canio, the head coach, who has seen Sunderland take just one point from their first three games.
Di Canio risked a changing-room rebellion after singling out players for public criticism following the 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Undaunted, he is set to make changes, with skipper John O’Shea suspended and forward duo Ji Dong-Won and Connor Wickham likely to be dropped after failing to impress at Selhurst Park. — AFP.
Online Reporter