German gives his first interview since leaving Real Madrid for the Gunners.
Check in to Sunderland vs Arsenal
New club-record signing Mesut Ozil says Arsenal are more than capable of winning the Premier League title this season, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
The coveted Germany international was officially unveiled by the north London club on Thursday following his dramatic and surprising move from Spanish giants Real Madrid in the final hours on transfer deadline day earlier this month.
Ozil, 24, signed for the Gunners for a whopping £42.4m with just minutes left before the window slammed shut for business for the year on Sept 2, with the midfield creator putting pen to paper on a bumper five-year contract worth an eye-catching £140,ooo per week.
However, Ozil’s move to the Emirates caused bewilderment throughout the rest of the Continent, especially in the Spanish capital where both Madrid’s fans and even some of his former team-mates were quick to express their surprise and disappointment at seeing the playmaker move to the Premier League.
Ozil, though, has been speaking for the first time about his exit from the Santiago Bernabeu and his excitement about the prospect of both playing under Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, as well as in the Premier League for the very first time.
“Of course [we can challenge for the title] – this is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Ozil.
“I had a very good time in Madrid, but I have made the next step, I’m in the strongest league in the world.
“The most important thing was [the manager’s] plans for me and what he thinks about me.
“I’ve watched a lot of Premier League games, of course it’s very physical but this is a man’s sport.
“I want to continue developing here and I feel that I’m at the right club. I know how successful Arsenal have been. I know the step here is the right one.
“Many young players came here and got better. I’m happy to play under a great coach. I have a new task here, we have big goals and will work very hard to reach those goals.”