Bergkamp : Ozil is what Arsenal were missing

Mesut Ozil has given Arsenal what they have been missing under Arsene Wenger in recent years, according to Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp.

Ozil has made a stunning start to life in England since arriving from Real Madrid for €50 million on transfer deadline day, and scored twice in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Norwich.

And Bergkamp, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal and treated Gunners fans to many memorable moments on the pitch, believes Ozil's arrival has galvanised his former club.

"If I look at the bench in the beginning of the season, what he has achieved and what he is doing, he is one of those players who can be decisive in a game, who can link up with the midfielder, but with the strikers as well," said the Dutchman, speaking to Absolute Radio's Rock 'N' Roll Football show.

"And he can provide other players, he can have assists, but he can score goals as well.

"He has got lovely vision, so I believe he is one of the sort of players Arsenal have been missing.

"They had Van Persie who was a little bit like that, but then you miss someone upfront.

"I still believe they could do with another sort of striker, who can score goals, who can score 15/20 goals a season for example. Then they have got quite a good team."

Read More»

Bergkamp : Wenger can win Premier League

Former Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp believes Arsene Wenger can end the club’s eight-year wait for silverware by claiming the Premier League title.

The 44-year-old has seen the Gunners struggle to match the trophy haul attained during his own spell in north London as part of the famous ‘invincibles’ side that claimed the league and FA Cup double.

But with Arsenal currently sitting top of the table, Bergkamp feels they are in a strong position to continue their form and secure their first league title since he last won it back in 2003-04.

"It’s still early days, of course, but they’re going into November, where and Arsenal are known for having problems," he told talkSPORT radio.

"If they are still up at the top of the league in January or February I think they’ve got a good chance [of winning the Premier League]."

Yet the current Ajax coach feels the criticism was unjust and now believes he has silenced any doubters with their strong start to the season and summer transfer business that included the acquisition of Mesut Ozil.

"I was really surprised by the stick Wenger got this summer," he continued. "Looking back over the last six or seven years where there weren’t any trophies it was disappointing, but can you blame just him?

"I don’t think so. He’s a manager and, how I know him, he’s a manager who wants to win trophies. He wants to be successful. He’s not doing it on purpose.

"He’s silenced the critics a little bit, although you never know what will happen in the season. For now they’re doing really well. They bought a terrific player in Mesut Ozil. It’s going well at the minute."

Read More»