Arsenal new boy Mesut Ozil has revealed that Arsene Wenger was the central reason why he chose to move to England on the transfer deadline day. The German international signed a five-year-contract at the Emirates, after the North London club agreed a £42.5 million fee with Real Madrid.
The Gunners shattered their transfer record fee to land the 24-year-old and Ozil is determined to repay the faith the club has put in him.
Ozil initially refused to move to England, and said he wanted to stay with the La Liga giants, but with the arrival of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur, and realizations that Coach Carlo Ancelotti has lost faith in him, eventually prompted him to make a decision about his future.
Further, after a telephone conversation with Arsene Wenger, he made up his mind to move to the Emirates and accept a fresh challenge in his career.
Speaking to the German football federation’s website, www.dfb.de, Ozil said:
“I am really looking forward to it because I have the faith of the coach. I had spoken to him at length on the telephone, he explained his plans and that he has faith in me – that is what I need as a player.”
“Wenger gives me the faith and I can develop further. I know what I can do and I know that I could make the grade with any club in the world because I am so convinced in myself, but if I don’t feel people have faith in me, then that is why I had to leave. At Arsenal, I feel I have this fully. I am sure the new coach is going to develop me further and I am also really looking forward to playing in the Premier League.”
Ozil has made over 100 appearances for the Los Blancos since joining the club in 2010 and is widely regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world at the moment. From that perspective, Arsenal have shown great ambition to invest such a huge money on a world class talent.
Critics can debate on whether the money could have been used on other areas as well, while cynics can harbour concern over his stamina and work-rate, but there is no doubt that Ozil will improve any side in this world and could help the Gunners mount a serious title challenge this season.
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