Ozil- Tutatwaa vikombe Arsenal

 

Mesut, welcome to Arsenal. How does it feel to be joining the Club?

It feels really good. I’m really looking forward to the challenge, life there [in London] and [meeting] my team-mates, the manager and the fans, as well as the Premier League. 

I’m really excited. It’s a perfect decision for me and and I’m looking forward to it all.

What made you choose Arsenal in particular? How important was Arsène Wenger in your decision?

I chose Arsenal because they are one of the top clubs in England. The coach is a world-class manager - he’s demonstrated that for years. 

A lot of players have developed under his guidance in the past and that’s why I decided to join Arsenal. I want to improve myself further and I’m looking forward to the style of play. 

Arsenal are well known for the strength of their technical game and their desire to play attacking football.

 I think I will fit perfectly into that. That’s why I chose to sign for the Club.

How important in your decision was the ambition of the Club and the plans they are making?

That was very important. The most important thing is that the manager has given me his trust.

 I want to show my potential and have fun on the pitch. I think that I can help the team through my performances.

Did you talk to Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski about the Club before you made your decision?

Unfortunately not. It all happened so fast. I spoke to the manager a lot on the phone and he presented his vision and what he thinks about me. That convinced me and that’s why I am now at Arsenal.

And what about the style of play at Arsenal. How much did that attract you?

Like I said, Arsenal are one of the technically strongest teams in the world. 

The manager always wants to play attractive and attacking football. I think I fit into that because I enjoy playing quickly - that ’one-touch football’. I’m happy to be part of the Club and I hope I can help the team.

Do you feel this squad can deliver trophies this season?

Definitely. In the last few years, Arsenal haven’t been so successful but we want to become more successful. We want to win trophies. I think the fans are looking forward to that too. 

We have a very strong and a very young team that can improve a lot under the manager. I think we will win trophies because we have the potential [to do so].

When you were a kid playing football for fun, which famous player did you pretend to be and why?

I've said recently that my idol was Zinedine Zidane because for me, he was the perfect player. He was good in the air. He was strong defensively and offensively. He was my idol. 

He had hardly any negative headlines including in his private life. He was a role model for me. Therefore, it was Zinedine Zidane.

Do you have a message for the Arsenal fans?

I’m so happy to be playing at Arsenal. I’m honoured by it. I hope we can have a successful season.

Arsenal