Ozil, who just left Real Madrid for Arsenal, is expected to make his debut at Sunderland today. PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON: Mesut Ozil and Willian could be among the players making their first appearances when the Premier League resumes today, while Tottenham Hotspur will begin life without Gareth Bale.
No sooner did the transfer window close than the international break began, meaning that fans have had to wait close to two weeks for a first glimpse of their clubs’ new signings in action.
Arsenal’s capture of Ozil from Real Madrid stole the deadline-day headlines, and he is expected to make his debut at Sunderland today. The manager, Arsene Wenger, says there is a ‘possibility’ that Ozil will start at the Stadium of Light, where Arsenal will be bidding to record a fifth consecutive win in all competitions.
We have to move on: Villas-Boas
Tottenham Hotspurs host Norwich City in the first game since forward Gareth Bale completed his move to Madrid. Spurs offset Bale’s departure by spending around £110 million on new players and could hand a debut to Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen against Norwich.
With the Bale saga finally at an end, coach Andre Villas-Boas has urged his players to refocus quickly. “What we have to do is move on,” he said.
Willian at Mourinho’s disposal
With Liverpool not in action over the weekend, second-place Chelsea can claim top spot in the standings if they prevail at Everton today. Manager Jose Mourinho will have Willian at his disposal for the first time since he completed his move from Anzhi Makhachkala, but the Brazilian midfielder says he does not expect to stroll into the starting eleven.
“I know that I haven’t secured my spot here, but I will do my best to achieve that place, while respecting the other players,” he told Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte. “I will train, play and do my best to get the trust of the manager and of the fans.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City face a reunion with former manager Mark Hughes when they travel to Stoke City. City continue to have problems at centre-back, with new signing Martin Demichelis ruled out for around six weeks with a knee problem and captain Vincent Kompany sidelined by a groin injury.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2013.
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