‘Why sign for Arsenal from Real Madrid and Barcelona?’ – Collymore questions Mesut Ozil & Sanchez transfers
Former England international and football pundit Stan Collymore has questioned Mesut Ozil’s decision to join Arsenal.
Collymore told BoyleSports that both Ozil and Alexis Sanchez would be better off if they joined clubs which regularly competed for titles.
Ozil had won the World Cup with Germany and the La Liga with Real Madrid before making the move to north London.
Arsenal have failed to compete for major trophies during Ozil’s spell at the club. The FA Cup is the only piece of silverware the Germany international has lifted since joining the Gunners.
Alexis Sanchez meanwhile won the UEFA Super Cup, La Liga and the World Club Cup with Barcelona prior to joining Arsenal.
“I always get stick when both of these fine players play well and the Gooners can say ‘We told you they were world class’,” Collymore told BoyleSports.
“Undoubtedly, in ability, they are. They have world class attributes. So why sign for Arsenal from Real Madrid and Barcelona?!
“Seriously. Gooners may find that offensive and a slight on their club, but trust me, it’s not meant to be. I’m asking a logical question. Why would you go to a club who have never won the Champions League and haven’t won the league in a decade?
“Is that complacency from two players who perhaps wanted the London life without the responsibility of winning trophies anymore?
“Both are supremely talented but I’ll try to make the point to Arsenal fans so that they take off their rose-tinted glasses and see my point.
“If two world class players such as Ozil and Alexis went to say Schalke or Sevilla (although Sevilla have actually won trophies in Europe the last few seasons), we’d all look and say ‘they aren’t going to win the league, might win a cup’.
“So those watching Arsenal fall when the going gets tough should reverse their argument and ask “If Barca/Madrid let you go to a club who haven’t won a big trophy for over a decade, maybe they don’t believe they are as good as the billing we are giving them!”
Ozil has been in impressive form for Arsenal this season with eight assists and nine goals in 27 apperances for the north London based club.
Arsenal slipped down to forth place following their weekend defeat at the hands of rival’s Chelsea. Arsene Wenger’s side take on Hull City this weekend as they look to get their title bid back on track.