Arsenal could be onto a winner with Ozil and Ceballos pairing

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Arsenal announced the signing of Dani Ceballos earlier this week after much speculation.

The Gunners have landed the young Spaniard on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane deeming him surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

Unai Emery said of the European U21s Championships winner: “He is a talented player with big technical ability, creativity and precision.”

Arguably, the manager’s assessment of Ceballos is very applicable to an already established first-team star at the Emirates.

Mesut Ozil has his critics, but on his day is a world-class player.

The signing of Ceballos might just be the catalyst that gets the German performing on a more consistent basis.

TBR’s view

Perhaps the pair can both play as attacking midfielders.

It would mean Emery sacrificing a holding midfielder, but it could be the thing that allows the Gunners to truly tick in the final third.

Manchester City successfully play with one holder (Fernandinho), with Kevin De Bruyne or David/Bernardo Silva supporting the attacking three.

Maybe Emery can follow this blueprint and trust Lucas Torreira to be the sole defensive shield, so Ozil and Ceballos can wreak havoc together in more advanced positions.

Ozil needs to be playing more centrally as opposed to wide right, and Ceballos is also most effective when fielded more in-field.

It would be a risk, but the duo could be utterly destructive together.