Jack Wilshere: I couldn’t believe Arsenal were going to sign this player

Jack Wilshere has described Arsenal’s signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2013 as a significant moment in the club’s history.

The north London side shelled out a club-record fee to bring the Germany playmaker to Emirates Stadium in what has been one of the biggest transfer deals in Arsenal’s recent history.

You almost didn’t believe it. When he arrived the players were buzzing

Jack Wilshere

Ozil has been a regular fixture in Arsenal’s first team since arriving at Emirates Stadium and helped the Gunners win two FA Cups in his first two campaigns in England.

And Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has lifted the lid on how he was left shocked when he first heard that the Gunners were interested in signing Ozil from Madrid.

“I think we knew what sort of player Mesut was,” Wilshere told Arsenal Player. “His history as a player and the clubs he has played for… to bring him in to play with us was massive.

“I remember watching [the TV on] transfer deadline day and seeing that Arsenal were interested in Mesut Ozil, and you almost didn’t believe it. When he arrived the players were buzzing and the fans were buzzing and I think that gave us all a massive lift.

“I watched him for a few years, he was another player who started off young and went to a big club like Real Madrid.

“I remember watching him a few times and thinking that this player really understands football. You can tell he really understands football and to play alongside him is something special.”

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Ozil has been in fine form for Arsenal so far this season and has already notched up 13 Premier League assists for the Gunners to help them up to second place in the top flight table.