Arsenal manager confirms Ozil had long been on his radar

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has shed some light on the reasons why he decided to make a move for Germany international midfielder Mesut Ozil on transfer deadline day. Wenger confirmed that he had been an admirer of the player for some time.

Arsenal completed a transfer deadline day move for Ozil, smashing their club transfer record for the former Real Madrid man.


Ozil has so far impressed since his arrival at Arsenal, having scored in the Champions League and grabbing four assists in the Premier League.


Wenger confirmed that Ozil is a player that has been on his radar for some time: "The timing of the deal was linked to the Gareth Bale deal, but also all the other deals as well because Real Madrid bought Illarramendi and Isco in the summer. When I first contacted Real Madrid, things were quite open.


"They also needed time for Carlo Ancelotti to get to know his squad better, so he could make a decision. So all these aspects put together explains why it happened so late.


"We had a big advantage, and that was that I had been in contact with Mesut before, when he first went to Real Madrid three years ago. I spoke to him back then on the phone, in the end he told me he wanted to go to Real Madrid, so I wished him well, but that first contact had been made. He knew that I wanted him for a long time, and this was not the first time I tried to sign him."