Arsene Wenger goes shopping late again and returns with the finest in Mesut Ozil

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks to Mathieu Flamini during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Coming to Flamini; when we got him, there were loads of cynical fans being very negative about it. I was pretty unsure myself, but after the North London Derby, I realised that it was a signing Arsene simply had to make. I’ve said this before; football is all about perception. If Flamini, a tough tackling experienced defensive midfielder, had never been at Arsenal and had about two years left on his contract at Milan and we had signed him for 10-15 million, Gooners would be praising Arsene. Instead, we got him on a free. And they got mad at him.

What impressed me most in the 50 odd minutes he played vs Spurs was how mature he’s become. In his five years at Milan, he’s played with the likes of Pirlo and Gattuso alongside him, obviously learned a lot and has “unfinished business” at Arsenal FC, as he puts it.

He was barking out orders and urging the team forward as if he had the armband on; exactly the kind of midfielder we need in the middle of the park. He even gathered the team after the full time whistle and showed what it means to be a part of a team.

I remember reading that he used to sometimes run about 15 km a game for us in his last stint at the club. I’m sure he doesn’t have those legs, but he can definitely still do a job. People criticised the way he left us, but I sincerely think it wasn’t his fault. He was a very late bloomer, having mediocre seasons in between, but an outstanding last one and until then, we never offered him a renewal. I’m glad to see him back. He knows Arsenal, Arsene and London well, and I’m sure he can help us challenge again.

Our other signing is Emiliano Viviano, on loan from Palermo, and who had spent last season at Fiorentina. We have definitely been linked with him in the past, and it seems like a logical move. A one year loan deal with an option to buy gives him time to prove his worth to try and convince us to pay the full amount for him. With the World Cup less than a year away, he will be looking to compete with Sirigu and De Sanctis to find a spot on the bench and be Buffon’s second choice.

I must admit when I first Googled him, I instantly closed the tab cause he looked so much like Almunia! Hopefully, he doesn’t keep like him.

All in all, I am glad this mad transfer window is closed and we can get back to focusing on exactly what matters; winning every single one of our games. A few quotes from Mesut have left me really looking forward to how this season and the following ones turn out, especially this one: “From our negotiations it is clear the club has huge ambition and I look forward to being part of an exciting future.”

Pretty different what a certain Dutchman had said about ambition a season ago. I hope to see a different Arsene; one that spends and adds when necessary again in the future. I bet he was shaking like he had Parkinson’s and sweating profusely when telling Ivan to finalise the 42 million deal, but it will be worth it. We don’t mind him only spending on “top, top quality”; we just want it to be more frequent because we have the funds.

I’ve been annoyed with him in the past and still would love some answers to my questions, but there’s no one else I’d rather see at the helm when we return to our glory days. Get behind him and the boys. Up The Arsenal!