Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid £46million)
Undoubtedly the best of the three signings made by Arsenal today, and perhaps the best of any Premier League club this summer, Mesut Ozil is expected to be announced as a £46million signing from Spanish giants Real Madrid, pending the completion of a medical. The Gunners were alerted to his availability when Real confirmed the £85million signing of Gareth Bale yesterday, as Ozil has supposedly become unsettled by the increased competition for places in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad this season, and requested to be allowed to talk to Arsenal.
Arsenal were also strongly linked with poaching Madrid for winger Angel Di Maria as well, though their interest cooled in the Argentine, but that won’t bother Arsenal fans as the club smash their transfer record for one of the most talented midfield playmakers in Europe. The skillful 24-year-old has a great eye for a pass and has been highly influential in Real Madrid’s success since his arrival at the club in 2010 from Werder Bremen. It is no surprise to see that Wenger is an admirer of his playing style, and he should fit in perfectly at the Emirates, potentially forming a superb combination with the likes of Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere in Arsenal’s attacking midfield.
Manchester United had also been linked strongly with Ozil, but ruled themselves out of the deal earlier today, despite arguably being more in need of a player of his type, having tried and failed to land the likes Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas this summer. Their focus, however, currently remains on Everton’s Marouane Fellaini and Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera, leaving Arsenal to sign Ozil uncontested.
Although some Arsenal fans may feel more strengthening could have been done defensively, these signings have certainly gone some way to fixing areas of the team that needed fixing, and the signing of Ozil in particular could put Arsenal back on the map as one of the top sides in Europe, matching any of the big names brought in this summer by the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea for ambition.