In terms of big-money signings, the Gunners have not had much to whet their appetite with in recent seasons. With every transfer window that slams shut, praying to God that their newly-acquired 21 year old striker from Guinea hits the ground running, while their posh city rivals welcome the biggest and best from around Europe, an air of jealousy was apparent. Having to fund a new stadium can take its toll on a clubs forthrightness in the transfer market, and that in turn, will have a knockdown effect on the amount of trophies they acquire. With the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and even Thierry Henry plucked from thin air, with everything to prove to the gruelling English media, Wenger has been labelled reluctant to dip his toes in what can be an unforgiving transfer market. Last summer, there was a new wave of optimism circling the Emirates. It was common knowledge that the poisonous debt from the stadium, weighing upon the boards shoulders like a lead weight for the previous six years, had been quelled. Following Arsenals fruitless pursuit of Argentine Gonzalo Higuain, the media began to link the Gunners with every Tom, Dick and Harry with a couple of caps to his name. Arsenal fans, however, failed to get carried away. An alien concept to them, what could they really expect from a marquee signing? Karim Benzema or Angel Di Maria, like the papers were predicting? With disappointment having been sculpted into their psyche, fine-tuned into a second skin, they were expecting the inevitable come-down of a Christian Benteke announcement. Then came September the 2nd, 2013: the day Arsenal went big. Heralded by former Arsenal stalwart Cesc Fabregas as Real Madrids second best player, Mesut Ozil was coaxed from the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu for £42.5 million. The worlds most talented no.10, had spent the last three years fashioning a career consistently sliding the ball into the path of Cristiano Ronaldo, and was suddenly posing in an Arsenal kit. From the then-nine times European champions, to the side with not even a Charity Shield appearance in eight years, it was possibly the most jaw-dropping coup Arsenal have pulled off in their history. Surely Ozil was the world-class cog that could halt the annoying trend of key players leaving the club before hitting their prime? Surely he could help to finally end the trophy drought, of which the volume of resonance gets louder with each barren season? Football is a funny sport, sometimes. Its 9 months later, and Mesut Ozil has since helped his club side end their barren run with an FA Cup victory, before helping himself to an historic World Cup win over Argentina in which the afore-mentioned Higuain missed a sitter. However, statistics dont tell the story. Much in the same vein, Fernando Torres trophy cabinet cleaner must assume he is enjoying the prime of his career, following his medals haul from the Champions League, Europa League and European Championship in recent seasons. Throughout his career, Ozil has been the master of the assist, slaloming the ball into the path of tenacious and clinical goal-poachers. However, despite a bright start to his Gunners career, his overall general play tailed off dramatically and could muster a solitary five league assists to add to his five league goals. That is not to say that there wasnt a honeymoon period, however. With his German compatriot Per Mertesacker marshalling the defence, and Welshman Aaron Ramsey finally matching the flashes of early potential shown in his career, the Gunners eased Ozil into the hectic rough-and-tumble of Premier League life. Within 11 minutes of his Premier League career starting, there was even an assist at the Stadium of Light, sliding the ball into the path of Olivier Giroud, who met it with aplomb. There was even goals to follow against Napoli and Norwich City, before the midfield maestro once again received a short-list nomination for the FIFA Ballon dOr award. Since then, events have not run as smoothly for Ozil, in any fashion. Lambasted in front of the travelling Arsenal supporters by Mertesacker for failing to acknowledge them following a 6-3 pummelling, Ozils confidence had taken a knock the Madridistas were seemingly not used to conceding six on the road. Spluttering in and out of games over the next couple of months, it was boyhood chum Manuel Neuer who struck the fatal blow into Ozils season, saving a penalty in the first leg of the Champions League last 16. Ozil flitted in and out of games for the rest of the season, tossing a lazy leg here and there, but injury problems and fatigue dictated he be substituted in Arsenals FA Cup final victory over Hull City. Its hard to not stand out in a side that scores seven. Its almost impossible to remain anonymous when David Luiz is having one of those days, and the rest of your attacking allies are baying for blood. However, as was true to the rest of his World Cup adventure, Ozil belied none of the craft, energy and invention that characterized his debut tournament four years ago. Its not often Carlo Ancelotti makes a mistake, as proven by his three Champions League medals as a manager. When Mourinhos former favourite was shown the door, it wasnt just the Italian whose eyebrows were permanently raised. During Gareth Bales inauguration at the Bernabeu, there were renditions of Ozil no se vende!, as Ancelotti was castigated and scorned for selling one of their prized assets. However, its almost a year later, and Ozil looks a shell of a man: his confidence and energy look drained, sapped from him by the beast of the unforgiving Premier League. We make a lot of the £85 million price tag resting on Bales shoulders, but it shouldnt be forgotten that Ozil has to walk around, in the knowledge that he is the most expensive German footballer of all time. One hopes he is able to recapture his invention and his spark, as there is no sadder tale in world football than seeing a former great go down the dark and lonely road of Fernando Torres. Struggling in earnest to recapture his old brilliance, Torres has been toiling in Western London for three and a half years to no avail. With the arrivals of Alexis Sanchez, and potentially Ozils mate Sami Khedira, the weight of expectation will be lifted. He will no longer be the expensive one. With Khedira, he is his partner in crime, having both burst into the German side for the 2010 World Cup before sealing dream moves to Real Madrid, under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho. Perhaps with a familiar face by his side, he will be able to let loose, and recapture the magic of 2010. All eyes will be on Sanchez now he is the new boy. The media already have their pitchforks at the ready, salivating at the prospect of lynching the Chilean forward should he fail to deliver the immediate goods. As mentioned previously, the expectation should be lifted. Perhaps it is only then, when Arsenal dont have to rely on the likes of Yaya Sanogo as Plan B, that Mesut Ozil can start to relax and play his normal game of excellence. Do you think Ozil can be a success at Arsenal? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.