New Kids in the Smog - Part 2: Mesut Ozil

With the signing all Gooners have been waiting for soon to be Arsenal-bound, as Mesut Ozil gets set to hotfoot it to North London next week, following the international break, we look at how the fleet-footed playmaker could be best utilised by Arsene Wenger, considering there are currently a number of gaps to be plugged at an injury-hit Ashburton Grove:

Selection 1:

The most likely scenario would see the German international deployed behind the striker as the pivotal point of the Gunners' attack. Having put on record his admiration for chief strategist Wenger and his recognition of the "faith" shown in him by the Frenchman that was sadly lacking in Madrid, it seems probable that N5's newest idol would be given star billing off the field and a central role on it.

Following a La Liga-benchmark 47 assists over the past three seasons, which reflect the 24-year-old's range of passing and overall creativity, this may be the position from which Ozil can do the most damage against Premier League opposition, in much the same way as the similarly slight Spanish duo of David Silva and Juan Mata have found success in recent years for Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.

With the commanding figure of Olivier Giroud up front to occupy defenders, pace on the right in the form of Theo Walcott and a technical specialist such as Santi Cazorla to his left, with whom he will aim to strike up a symbiotic relationship right from the start, Ozil should find that space will be fashioned with some regularity and opportunities to thread that killer pass will frequently present themselves.

Selection 2:

Despite often finding himself stationed out on the right wing during his time in the Spanish capital, relocation to the left flank could make use of Ozil's superb crossing ability and may offer some much-needed natural width and balance to the Arsenal forward line.

This might, in turn, produce a consistent supply line to create the perfect conditions for imposing striker Giroud to refine the timing of his runs and exploit his outstanding aerial expertise when in and around the 18-yard area.

Jack Wilshere will likely be playing just inside the former Real Madrid man in a deeper role and, with one of in-form Aaron Ramsey or a fit again Mikel Arteta covering alongside the Englishman, he will be given license to link up with Ozil, as he often does with, among others, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard to devastating effect whenever they are pulled into that left-hand channel while sporting the Three Lions. 

The two left-footers could potentially forge quite an alliance going forward when the ball is worked out to their side of the pitch and this sense of unity may give the combative midfielder confidence as he works his way back to peak form and fitness after his well-publicised injury troubles.

Selection 3:

This would be out of character in the extreme for the Gunners boss. However, were Wenger to ask his superstar recruit to replicate the level of performance shown while working with his previous employers by playing him exactly as he had been under immediate predecessor, Jose Mourinho, in a wide-right berth, it may provide a valuable Plan B for his side, in the event of the inevitable Emirates treatment table traffic jam.

Wenger has never shown a liking for inverted wingers on the right-hand side, as affirmed by his disinclination to post either Robin van Persie or Jose Antonio Reyes there in the past, even when a change in tact was plainly required to alter the course of a tight contest.

But, in calling on Ozil's agility, technical ability when escaping tight areas and experience cutting inside onto his stronger foot to present a genuine goal threat, the coach may bring out the best in Walcott, who would be able to simply hug the shoulder of the last man and await the reverse through-ball beyond the last line so he can focus on honing his finishing; which is the role he has for so long craved.

This option would offer some comfort to Gunners supporters wary of the fact that Giroud is far and away the most accomplished of the limited assortment of strikers at the manager's disposal when ploughing a lone furrow at the sharp end of his favoured formation.

Walcott could represent a very different threat, a la Samuel Eto'o in his Barcelona pomp, where he was fed by the left-footed Lionel Messi on the right and the right-sided Ronaldinho and, latterly, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on the left. The want-away winger would surely benefit from the quality of delivery all around him, with each of the players occupying the other attacking spots capable of interchanging, in the style of Chelsea's 'three amigos', Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard. Tomas Rosicky could be drafted in to alter the speed of an attacking phase and add urgency to the general approach play, either from a deep-lying position or ahead of Wilshere, appearing in 'the hole'.

Selection 4:

Call this theory the 'dark horse': if Wenger decides, in his infinite wisdom, that his new £42.4m acquisition is best suited to a midfield role, from which the slender yet mobile orchestrator could dictate play, it could give rise to a fundamental alteration to the modern Arsenal approach.

Many would argue that Ozil's exemplary disciplinary record illustrates the necessary temperament to cope with the unique demands of a Premier League midfield zone, where the game is often played at a frenetic pace and strong, often borderline-illegal tackles, especially in derby matches, are commonplace.

Others would suggest that, in taking up the regista role, many of the young German's innovative trequartista-type attributes will ultimately be wasted.

At Real Madrid, Ozil could often be counted on for his capacity to switch the team's focus from defence into attack in the blink of an eye, launching swift counter-offensives that frequently had a huge impact at the other end of the field, in a team cunningly designed to coil and spring.

Injecting thrust into the Gunners' game from such a withheld position is often the wont of Wilshere and, in his absence, should he suffer a further setback, the slide-rule pass and even the dynamism would be expected to come from the brains and boots of the new boy. 

The responsibility not to leave his fellow midfielder exposed, whether that be Ramsey, Arteta, Rosicky or, by some miracle, Abou Diaby, would be massive. But the chance to collaborate with his international team-mate, Lukas Podolski, once he has returned from his own injury torment, could open the door to a more direct style founded upon his compatriot's propensity to shoot on sight and Ozil's aptitude in giving him a platform to exhibit his impish talents.