Arsenal Transfer News: Mesut Ozil Key to Unlocking Theo Walcott's Potential

The deadline day arrival of Mesut Ozil at Arsenal for £42.4 million, per BBC Sport, placed the Gunners firmly back in the race for the Premier League's top four.

Having plateaued over recent years, Arsenal hopes that Ozil's capture will return the club among the Premier League's elite. The German is a genuine superstar of the football world and is easily Arsenal's most important signing since the capture of Thierry Henry in 1999.

The quotes emerging from his former Real Madrid teammates since his departure, reported by AS via the Daily Mail, say much for his quality and importance to the sides in which he plays. Cristiano Ronaldo, in particular, did not want to see his biggest ally depart.

"The sale of Ozil is very bad news for me," the Portuguese star bemoaned. "He was the player who best knew my moves in front of goal... I'm angry about Özil leaving."

Ronaldo's loss, though, will be Theo Walcott's gain. Walcott is nowhere near the level of the former Ballon d'Or winner, but his direct playing style from the flank should be well suited to the German's strengths.

If Walcott can make runs in behind the defence, Ozil will pick him out. Ronaldo will be the first to admit that his goal tallies have been boosted by simple finishes from the German's handiwork, and Walcott will benefit in a similar manner.

Santi Cazorla will likely switch to the left flank to accommodate Ozil's inclusion centrally, giving Arsenal good balance to their attack—with Cazorla able to take some of the creative burden off Ozil's shoulders.

With Olivier Giroud in fine form as the spearhead of the attack, Arsenal promise plenty of goals this season if they can quickly blend as a unit. Given Ozil's proven intelligence and vision, it shouldn't take too long.

It is up to Walcott to take advantage of the increased opportunities that will now come his way. What makes Ronaldo so lethal is that he is always looking to score; always getting in the right positions to receive the ball in front of goal.

While Walcott broke double figures for the first time last season, scoring 14 times in the Premier League, he will know he can and must do better. Arsenal need at least one player to reliably score 20 goals each season and, potentially, both Giroud and Walcott can at least come close to that figure.

There are still deficiencies in Arsenal's squad that haven't been addressed, but Manchester United showed last season that enough goals will make amends any such defensive issues. Ozil can provide the opportunities, but Walcott must score them.

If the Englishman can really prove himself to be the elite-level wide forward he has always threatened to be, then Arsenal will be challenging for titles once more this campaign.