Transfer Deadline Day: German star midfielder Mesut Ozil headed to Arsenal from Real Madrid

It was the day’s biggest story on football’s craziest day and now it is official. On Transfer Deadline Day, the most frugal major club in the EPL made the biggest move of them all, Arsenal has officially secured the services of Mesut Özil to catapult the club back amongst the contenders for the EPL title.

The deal has made him the most expensive player ever sold by Real Madrid, breaking the record held by Robinho’s £32.5 million move to Manchester City in 2008. Mesut also eclipses Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze, who made a €37 million switch from Borussia Dortmund earlier in the summer, as the most expensive-ever German player.

Özil, a very attractive central attacking midfielder for Germany’s National Team as well as at Madrid, has created the most scoring chances of any player in Europe over the past two seasons and gives Arsenal  scarily potent midfield that already had the speedster in Theo Walcott and a world class attacking midfielder in Santi Cazorla at the club. Bringing in a player who was often overshadowed by the big stars at Madrid despite churning out great lay will only make Arsenal that much stronger, something their fans have been longing for.

Often criticized for being too frugal in the transfer window after losing beloved players Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas over the past two seasons, manager Arsene Wenger actively pursued Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez to no avail before landing on the goldmine that is Mesut Özil.

In 159 matches at Real Madrid the German international scored 27 goals while doing more than his share in creating the goals for his team mates, Özil had 81 assists while at the club developing a deserved reputation for being one of the best passers in football today. 42.2 million Euro’s, an Arsenal club record fee, was more than worthy for a player of this sort of quality.

Arsenal have been developing a penchant for Germans in recent years, something that will allow their new superstar to quickly adjust. The midfielder is reunited with former Werder Bremen running mate Per Mertesacker at the Emirates and will also be joined by fellow German international Lukas Podolski.

Ozil who is currently on duty with the Germany squad ahead of World Cup Qualifying against Austria at Munich’s Allianz Arena, underwent a medical in Munich with Bayern doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt before signing for the Gunners.

Official statements:

Arsene Wenger

"“We are extremely pleased to have signed Mesut Ozil. He is a great player, with proven quality at both club and international level. We have watched and admired him for some time as he has all the attributes I look for in an Arsenal player.“I have said throughout the summer that we have been working hard to bring in top quality players to this football club. This has involved many many people across the club and I have always had the full support of the club in making decisions on the football side.“Mesut is a top quality footballer who will be a fantastic addition to our talented squad. We are all looking forward to him joining up with us after his international matches with Germany and working with us as an Arsenal player.”"

Özil

"“I am thrilled to be joining a club of the stature of Arsenal and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League. It will be great for my own personal development as a player and I am particularly looking forward to working with Arsene Wenger.“From our negotiations it is clear the club has huge ambition and I look forward to being part of an exciting future.”"