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The most under rated player currently in the Premier League is going to be pivotal to any title challenge for Arsenal in 2015/16. Injuries have cut down his opportunities in 2014/15, but German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil has won two trophies in two seasons at the Emirates Stadium already.

Arsenal’s investment in Ozil has taken a lot of criticism and his languid style has not been taken to by much of the British media. The German’s gliding between the lines and drifting across the field doesn’t match the blood and guts that is so adored by man followers of the English game. Yet Ozil’s success, as for any player focused on creativity, relies so heavily on his team mates’ movement.

His brilliance at Real Madrid was worthy of a being a ‘Galactico’, but Ozil’s exceptional statistics were largely down to the perfect finishing of Cristiano Ronaldo. The more prominent that assists become in judging a player’s success, the more we need to be aware that the assist is reliant on the quality of finisher the ball is provided to. Ozil lives off having players stretching the game and running in behind, while he finds space between the lines. Without the correct team picked around him, he cannot thrive as he did in Madrid.

The freedom Ozil enjoyed at Madrid, even with Jose Mourinho as manager, was largely due to the defensive cover. Xabi Alonso was playing in a role that Arsenal, other than with Francis Coquelin, haven’t truly filled for a while. The presence of a controller from deep in midfield will help both Arsenal and Ozil to provide a base for creative freedom and continue to toy with Premier League defences.

The next addition must be a man deeper than Ozil and Schneiderlin or a player like Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho seem ideal. Either of the two could be final piece in Arsenal’s talented jigsaw as Wenger searches for his first league title since 2003/04. Bringing the best out in Ozil, by very nature of his play, will bring the best out of the entire Arsenal squad, and the quicker the German racks up the assists the faster Arsenal will become realistic title challengers.

The addition of Alexis Sanchez has taken much of the burden off of Ozil with another big-money signing distracting at least some of the attention, and Sanchez’s goals regularly saved the Gunners in his first campaign. While the talk may be of a need to add a new striker, retaining Theo Walcott allows for several options for Wenger and will be sufficient to get the most out of Ozil, Wilshere and Ramsey.

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If Arsenal are to challenge, they must build around the qualities of Ozil, Sanchez and Ramsey. Providing he can avoid long injury lay-offs, expect to see Ozil as a leading contender for player of the season by May 2016.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that he and the rest of the coaches are helping Dele Alli get back to his best.

The 21-year-old has experienced a dramatic change in his career over the past few years.

Since moving to the North London club from MK Dons, the midfielder went from League One to becoming a regular starter in the Premier League.

Alli has also transformed into an established England international and is expected to be on the plane for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

The midfielder was integral in Spurs finishing second in the top flight last season, but he has struggled to recreate that form in the 2017-18 campaign.

Alli’s attitude has been called into question again after he escaped a red card during last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.

The midfielder failed to make an impact, and the biggest talking point involving the young player was when he caught Kevin De Bruyne’s ankle in a dangerous challenge.

Pochettino is not worried about Alli’s dip in form, though, and vows to help his player get back to top form.

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Sky Sports quotes the manager as saying:

“His success in two and a half years is massive, a fantastic achievement. It’s not that he isn’t doing good – the problem is that in the past he was amazing. Sometimes to be consistent, a player needs to go down to come back up. The most important thing now is support from the club and the coaching staff, to trust and help him reach the same levels as before.”

English football has a knack of writing off its young talents too quickly. If they’re not holding down a first team spot at a major club by the time they’re 22, they’re usually deemed as being unable to ever reach the realms of top-class – and often come under huge criticism as a consequence.But no two individuals are ever completely the same, and we shouldn’t expect young footballers to take exactly the same journey of development. The idea of one size fitting all just doesn’t make sense in such a diverse sport and some footballers, like Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, inevitably take longer than others to realise the full extremities of their ability.Indeed, Lingard has split opinion amongst United supporters and the wider Premier League audience practically ever since he became a first-team regular under Louis van Gaal. While the Red Devils’ last two permanent managers and the current England boss have all demonstrated recurring faith in the attacking midfielder, many have questioned his quality and consistency.Now aged 25, however, the Three Lions midfielder is finally starting to hit peak form, with seven goals and two assists in his last nine Premier League appearances, and he delivered yet another impressive showing on New Year’s Day as Manchester United fought their way to a 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park.It was Lingard’s 81st minute strike, a right-footed curler from the edge of the box, that sealed the victory for the Red Devils. But that was just the icing on the cake amid another incredibly productive display from United’s academy product. He finished up with the most efforts at goal of any United player, while recording the most dribbles, winning the most fouls and completing 86% of his passes.The strange thing, however, is that Lingard’s late rise to prominence was predicted by another of his former managers – the great Sir Alex Ferguson. As quoted by Manchester Evening NewsÂand discussed by one United fan on Twitter, the Scot said back in 2012…

It just goes to show that a little patience can go a long way in English football.

Liverpool won a thrilling encounter against Manchester City in the English Premier League on Sunday, emerging victorious in a 4-3 result that delighted supporters and neutrals alike.

It was the first time Man City have lost in the league this season and catapulted the Reds into third position, level on points with Manchester United and Chelsea.

Jurgen Klopp’s side scored early on through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before the visitors equalised just before half-time thanks to Leroy Sane.

However, a three goal blitz in eight second half minutes provided the victory for the Anfield side and despite a spirited comeback from Pep Guardiola’s men, Liverpool held on for a famous victory.

Reds fans were overjoyed with the victory and had special praise for opening scorer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in particular, who produced an accomplished midfield display to further cement his important to Klopp’s starting eleven.

He’s had a great season since moving from Arsenal in the summer and supporters are looking forward to even more in the months ahead.

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Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…

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According to reports in The Sun, West Ham United are ready to step up their bid to sign Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey after the Magpies completed a loan deal for Chelsea winger Kenedy.

The Sun says the Irons made an enquiry for the 25-year-old earlier in the month, but the Tyneside outfit didn’t want to sell because of a lack of strength in the depth in their squad.

However, the addition of Kenedy will go some way to sorting that issue and potentially allowing Shelvey to move on, which will have caught the attention of Hammers boss David Moyes even though a separate report in The Sun on Saturday claimed the player is currently earning £90,000-a-week.

The Scot is desperate to add to his midfield options before the January transfer window slams shut after earmarking it as one of the weak areas of his team, who currently lie just four points above the relegation zone and six points off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Hannover 96 star Salif Sane, who is rated at £7.2m according to Transfermarkt, has once again been impressing in the Bundesliga and has arguably been his side’s standout performer this season, and he could be seen as a potential alternative target to the Newcastle man.

Given how well he the Senegal international has been playing, bringing him to the London Stadium could prove to be a shrewd move.

Here are three reasons West Ham must forget Shelvey and sign Sane instead…

His qualities

According to WhoScored.com, Sane is statistically the joint-second best player in the Bundesliga this season following a string of impressive performances for 10th-placed Hannover.

The 27-year-old has a decent passing accuracy of 82% in 18 Bundesliga appearances this term, while he has won 106 of the 132 aerial duels he has contested, won 33 tackles as well as making 53 interceptions and 138 clearances.

The 6ft 5in defender is great defensively, but he has also shown his ability going forward by making seven key passes and successfully completing six of the seven dribbles he has attempted.

Versatility

While Sane has primarily played as a centre-back for Hannover this season, he is also able to play as a defensive midfielder – as he did on a number of occasions for the Bundesliga outfit last term – because of his ability on the ball.

The 27-year-old’s strength and quality in the air would mean that he would provide a huge barrier in front of the West Ham backline if he did join them, while he would be able to slot into the centre of the defence if he was required too as well – something that Shelvey wouldn’t be able to do.

Wages

According to The Sun, Shelvey is currently earning £90,000-a-week with Newcastle and he isn’t likely to want to take too much of a pay cut if West Ham aren’t willing to reach that figure.

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Sane will certainly be on a much lower number at Hannover right now and the east London outfit wouldn’t have to break the bank to bring him to the London Stadium.

Considering how impressive he has been this season and previously, the Irons should be looking to sign the Senegal international before January 31.

Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are considering a move for Colombian teenager Wilson Tilve after inviting the attacker for a trial.

What’s the story?

Man United are always in the market to boost their academy, and Angel Gomes is amongst those in the youth set-up currently pushing for a regular first-team position at Old Trafford.

Tilve – who is a 16-year-old number 10 – has recently been pictured at Man United’s training complex, where he is believed to have undergone a trial with the Red Devils.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the 20-time English champions have watched Tilve closely over the last week, and are now considering an approach for the highly-rated youngster.

That said, it is understood that a number of other clubs are also monitoring the development of Tilve, who plays his club football for Colombian side Club Atletico Colombia de Cartagena.

What is known about Tilve?

As expected, there is not a whole host of information available about the 16-year-old, but he is the first Colombian to be invited to train at Man United.

Tilve has been likened to his fellow countryman James Rodriguez by a number of sources, and that is sure to catch the imagination of the club’s supporters.

Football Whispers have described Tilve as ‘a highly technical creator, exhibiting superb passing, impressive dribbling and a mature appreciation of space in the final third’.

FIFA regulations would prevent Tilve from joining Man United before the age of 18 unless he holds a European passport, and it is currently unclear whether this is the case.

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Man United have revamped their academy system under the club’s former midfielder Nicky Butt, and as mentioned, Gomes is amongst those pushing for a first-team spot.

The club’s supporters will remember a certain Freddy Adu previously trialing with Man United though, and it remains to be seen whether Tilve sufficiently impressed the Red Devils.

Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier has admitted that he would select Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane ahead of Real Madrid hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Southampton legend based his decision on current form, as Kane seems to be unstoppable in front of goal.

In fact, the 24-year-old has scored 37 goals in all competitions this season, while Ronaldo is 12 behind with 25 to his name.

The Portugal captain is widely regarded as one of the world’s best, and it is difficult to argue given that he has won five league titles and three Champions League crowns.

Kane is yet to win any silverware with Tottenham, but over the last few years he has been the driving force in the club’s Premier League campaigns.

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The North London outfit finished third and then second in the past two seasons, and even though they are likely to be fighting for a top-four finish this season, Le Tissier thinks that on current form, Kane is better than Ronaldo.

While speaking to Sky Sports News, the retired footballer said:

“Right now, on this season’s form, I would take Harry Kane. Ronaldo has done it over a longer period of time and there is many a season you would pick Cristiano over him. But this season, Harry has stepped it up another level. He has been brilliant for the last three or four years but this season he has taken it up a notch.”

Aston Villa have hit a rough spot in their bid for Premier League promotion as recent results have not gone their way.Steve Bruce’s team were on a seven-game winning run when they were halted by Fulham in a 2-0 defeat a few weeks ago.On Tuesday night, the Midlands outfit rescued a 1-1 draw with Preston North End at Villa Park thanks to Lewis Grabban’s 66th-minute penalty.On Saturday, the Championship outfit will take on Sheffield Wednesday on home turf, with the aim of getting back on track.At the moment, Bruce is struggling with numerous injury problems to his squad.There is some good news, though, as 19-year-old attacking player Callum O’Hare has been included in the travelling party.[ad_pod ]The youngster has played 103 minutes of Championship action so far this season across four substitute appearances.In that time, O’Hare has created one assist, and also started four games in the club’s cup competitions.Fans have been left very excited buy the news that the Solihull-born player could feature this weekend.

Villa currently reside third in the table, four points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.

Aston Villa attacker Jack Grealish made his return from a calf injury in his team’s Championship clash with struggling Sunderland on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old had missed games against Fulham, Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday with the problem, but was back on the field against Sunderland as he appeared a second-half substitute in his team’s 3-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Grealish, who has one goal and six assists in all competitions this season, is now in line to start for Villa against Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers at Villa Park this weekend.

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Some of Grealish’s off-the-field conduct has not been the best, but there is no doubting that the attacker has incredible ability on the football pitch.

Villa fans are hopeful that Grealish’s injury problems are now behind him, and want to see the attacker, who is valued at £4.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, in the starting XI against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

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A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

West Ham United co-chairman David Gold will be well aware of the unhappiness among the fans.

If he is not subjected to angry posts on social media, the businessman is at the centre of furious chants in the terraces.

On Saturday, during the team’s 3-0 defeat to Burnley, the London Stadium was a cauldron of hate as three fans made their way onto the pitch to protest.

Club captain Mark Noble took matters into his own hands by throwing one of the pitch invaders to the ground.

The club have since released a statement confirming that they have launched an investigation into the incidents and appropriate action will be taken.

A large marjoity of the anger from supporters is related to the club’s decision to leave Upton Park and move to the Olympic ground.

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Many supporters feel that the state-of-the-art stadium lacks the atmosphere of their old home.

Despite the ongoing unrest, Gold has spoken exclusively to Claret and Hugh, insisting that he will not be going anywhere.

“The vast majority are decent people whatever they may feel about us. We were mortified when we had to leave the box – it’s unreal to hear these people saying we have stolen money and that we are liars and cheats. It’s all so wrong. It’s not as though they are pointing at a specific issue – they are all generalisations and simply not true.

“I have no objection whatsoever to those who don’t like the way we run the club. Many of them are very decent people who argue their case passionately and intelligently – that’s fine. But I will never be driven away from anything by the behaviour I saw today. It won’t happen because of all the decent fans out there.”