Mesut Ozil

Published: 5 September, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

HOW do sign a player of the calibre of Mesut Ozil?

The answer, quite simply, is you’ve got to have faith.

Breaking your club record also helps as Arsenal splashed out a whopping £42.4million to land the 24-year-old German international.

Talking about his switch from Real Madrid to the Emirates Stadium, Ozil revealed that it was a long telephone conversation with Arsene Wenger that made all the difference.

“I’m really looking forward to joining Arsenal because I have the faith of the coach,” he said. “I had spoken to him at length on the telephone and he explained his plans and that he has faith in me and that is what I need as a player. I’m also looking forward to being on the same team as Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker.”

In an interview with the German football association’s official website, Ozil, who is away on international duty, added, “I’ve already heard that Arsenal have super fans, the city is great, and the team is fantastic. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Ozil also admitted that the fact that Wenger speaks fluent German will help him settle to life in the Premier League, as will sharing a dressing room with international team-mates Mertesacker and Podolski. “Some of my national team colleagues are there and they will help me,” he added.

“Wenger will give me the trust to help me develop further. I want to be completely fit for the World Cup.
I know what I can do and what potential I have.

“At Arsenal I can feel that there is trust. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to playing in the Premier League.”

Theo Walcott has joined a list of Arsenal stars who have thrown praise at their new team-mate. “It’s very exciting. I played against him for England Under-21s, he showed his qualities then and he has continued to show them since,” he said.

“He’s a great addition and personally I’m looking forward to playing alongside him.”

Fans’ verdict

ARSENAL’S record signing Mesut Ozil has ignited a buzz that had been forgotten around the Emirates Stadium.

We’re back among the big clubs again, and it feels great. Arsene Wenger has finally put the money where his mouth is an landed a player that will strike fear in the hearts of our rivals.
SAM KEELEY, N19

I’m a huge Ozil fan, but the signing reeks of what I’d call a checkout buy. Something you pick up at the till when you’ve already done all of your proper shopping. We needed a striker, a centre back and a defensive midfielder.
STEVE SMITH, N7

I wonder what Robin van Persie is thinking? Yes he’s won the title since joining Man United, but it wasn’t as part of a team that played great football.
Now he has to feed off of Carrick and Fellaini, when it could have been Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski and now Ozil.
BEN AYAPEN, NW5

I urge the Arsenal fans fearing that we never signed a striker to calm down. With the creativity in the team I can assure you it won’t be a problem, it certainly seems to work ok for Barcelona. And if Giroud does get injured it’s still ok… because we’ve got Nicklas Bendtner!
LAURA SPENCER, NW1