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Ahead of Chelsea’s crunch Premier League visit to Arsenal on Monday night, Blues’ manager Jose Mourinho has conceded that there is one Gunners’ player he will be powerless to stop at the Emirates – his former charge at Real Madrid, Mesut Ozil.
Mourinho managed the £42.5m German playmaker for three seasons at Madrid between 2010 and 2013, and admits he will never be able to "completely stop" Ozil over 90 minutes. The 25-year-old has slotted nicely into the Gunners line-up since joining in September, making nine assists and scoring five goals in 14 matches in all competitions.
“He arrived, Arsene [Wenger] gave him the shirt, immediately he starts playing and immediately the team becomes better.
"He's a phenomenal player. He's one of those players that you buy and you complete the puzzle of your team."
"I know his strong points. Not the weaknesses," Mourinho added.
"I think I know how to try to stop him to be in the game [for] 90 minutes, with 90 minutes of direct influence. "But it's impossible to stop him for 90 minutes, because these kind of players they will have always a moment or a couple of moments where you cannot stop them and they end up showing why they are so good. "To stop him completely, I don't believe we can."
Jose Mourinho and Mesut Ozil embrace (centre) after Chelsea's 2-0 League Cup win over Arsenal in October Arsenal - January transfer targetsShow all 18 1 /18Arsenal - January transfer targets Arsenal - January transfer targets Julian Draxler - Another player who Arsenal don't have a desperate need for but have constantly been linked with. There is certainly no denying the quality of the German youngster but a January move seems unlikely as Arsenal need to strengthen elsewhere. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Karim Benzema - Wenger is a long time admirer of Real Madrid's French striker, although he would not be a cheap option. He is also a player it seems unlikely that the Spanish giants would happily part with. Then again you might have thought the same thing about Mesut Ozil. Getty Images
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Arsenal - January transfer targets Andrea Ranocchia - Out of favour at the San Siro, Arsenal would probably face stiff competition from Man United and Chelsea if they moved for the highly-rated Italian defender. Getty Images
Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Konstantinos Mitroglou - The Olympiakos forward is in red hot form and could well provide reasonably priced support for Olivier Giroud. Currently playing alongside Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell which could count in Wenger's favour. Getty Images
Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Hakan Calhanoglu - Arsenal couldn't buy another attacking midfielder could they? Well rumour has it they are very keen on Hamburg's Turkish star Calhanoglu. Getty Images
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Arsenal - January transfer targets Winston Reid - While a West Ham defender from New Zealand might sound an unlikely target for Arsenal, their defence is a serious injury away from looking a little threadbare and Reid could provide value-for-money cover at the back. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Xabi Alonso - While the free transfer of Mathieu Flamini has helped, Arsenal still look a little lightweight in the centre of the park. The cultured Alonso would certainly improve things. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Ilkay Gundogan - Another luxury purchase for the Gunners and with interest from other Premier League clubs and Arsenal's more pressing needs in other areas of the pitch, it seems an unlikely move. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Antonio Sanabria - Arsenal are rumoured to already have a deal in place bringing the Paraguayan starlet to the club from Barcelona. If so then they have secured themselves a fantastic player. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Javier Hernandez - With Hernandez seemingly growing increasingly frustrated with a lack of first team opportunities at Man United, Arsenal could pounce for the proven Premier League goalscorer. It does however seem unlikely that Moyes would sell to a rival. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Kurt Zouma - Wanted by London rivals Chelsea as well, Zouma is a highly-rated young defender who could provide some much needed cover. Can Wenger get the better of Mourinho in the transfer market this time? Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Youssouf Mulumbu - An experienced Premier League player who would add a bit of oomph to Arsenal's midfield. The surprising recent sacking of West Brom manager Steve Clarke might also encourage Mulumbu. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Cheikhou Kouyate - Wenger has tried to sign the imposing defender in two separate transfer windows but with Anderlecht now ready to sell, this January could be a case of third time lucky. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Ciprian Marica - Another forward linked with a switch to the Emirates, the Romanian could provide a cheaper alternative to some of the bigger names Arsenal are rumoured to be pursuing. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Alvaro Morata - The young Real Madrid forward has been linked with a January loan move although he has stated a desire to stay in the Spanish capital. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Alexandre Pato - Linked with Arsenal once again, the Brazilian would be a surprise choice given his relatively modest recent performances since returning to play in his homeland. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Edin Dzeko - Despite scoring fairly consistently in his time at the club, there is a feeling that Dzeko somehow doesn't quite fit and he struggles to hold down a first team place as a consequence. A move to Arsenal would surely give him more playing time but it seems unlikely City would sell to a rival. Getty Images
Arsenal - January transfer targets Dimitar Berbatov - The former Manchester United striker is reportedly keen to move on from Fulham. Appears a decent short term solution for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES
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