Arsenal’s Mesut Özil can emulate Dennis Bergkamp, says Ray Parlour
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Mesut Ozil could emulate Dennis Bergkamp in the coming seasons
Ray Parlour believes Mesut Özil has the potential to be as good as Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp.
The 24-year-old Germany international has scored once and made four assists in five appearances in all competitions following a club-record £42.5m move to the Gunners from Real Madrid.
Parlour, who won three Premier League titles at the north London side, played with Bergkamp for nine seasons, and the former England international sees similarities between the Dutch legend and Arsenal.
“He’s most like Dennis Bergkamp [with] the assists that he makes,” Parlour told Goals on Sunday.
“He’s not as good at the moment but he’s got the potential to be as good as Bergkamp.
“He has to do it on a weekly basis. You can’t just do it one week and not the next.
“Bergkamp was always consistent, you knew what you were going to get – even if it was away to Barnsley.
“So Özil will find away games in January a bit different to Spain.”
Parlour also believes Arsene Wenger’s marquee summer signing Özil has given the north London outfit a much-needed lift – and is confident the Gunners will only get better.
“Wenger bought that big signing which Arsenal needed and everyone’s been given a lift,” he continued.
“He’s such a clever player and he’s a great age as well. He’s 24 and he’s still got a lot of time on his side.
“What Wenger has got [is] a lot of players around that age in his team now – and they’re just going to get better together.”
