Mesut Ozil: Arsenal much stronger after £90m summer spend as new arrivals hit the ground running

Instant hit: Mesut Ozil with new signings Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Olley6 October 2016

Mesut Ozil has hailed the impact of Arsenal’s summer signings and believes the current squad has newfound depth following their arrival.

Arsene Wenger spent almost £90million in the last transfer window acquiring Rob Holding, Lucas Perez, Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi.

The latter has already revealed how Ozil played a key role in convincing him to move to London and the Germany playmaker believes both Mustafi and Xhaka have wasted no time in making their presence felt at the club.

“They’ve been fully integrated from the first day,” Ozil said. “They are guys who just get on with everyone and bring positive energy to the team. I’ve known Shkodran from the German national team and we spoke a lot about this club before his transfer. I can say a lot about Xhaka, too.

“He’s a really positive guy, very down to Earth and we’ve already seen that he can score goals. He’s got a left hammer! Musti can help us a lot, too. He’s got plenty of defensive quality and it is clear both players have strengthened the squad.

“He had a few questions about the team, the manager and the city. We spoke about things and I was pleased that he eventually decided to move here.

“I was pleased to help him because I’ve been here for a few years and he asked a few questions that I could answer because I’m here every day. I could tell him how things are. It was good for him to decide that he could further develop here and that’s what he’s doing.”

Xhaka has marked his Arsenal career with two superb long-range goals already — against Hull in the Premier League and Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. And he is set for a run in the side in Francis Coquelin’s absence, although the latest scans have revealed a more positive prognosis than first feared.

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Mustafi’s chance to form a centre-back partnership with Laurent Koscielny has come chiefly through injury to Per Mertesacker, who is ruled out until December with a ruptured ankle ligament. Ozil believes his fellow German has still been an influential figure at the club and is hopeful the defender can soon return to full fitness.

“Firstly, I want to take my hat off to Per,” he said. “Injury is keeping him out for a long time and I know that sort of injury isn’t easy to deal with.

“You want to help the team and be part of a side that plays successful football. I sincerely hope that he comes back really quickly. As a person I’ve known Per for a while because we’ve played together in Bremen, for the national team and here, too.

“I can only say positives about him. He gives everything for the team, not just for himself but for everyone. Off the pitch, he watches the games and comes into the dressing room.

“He’s just a role model and we’re so pleased to have him here. I want him to get fit against and back on the pitch as quickly as possible.”

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