Premier League transfers: 10 worst of 2013-14 season

10-Martin Demichelis, Atletico Madrid to Manchester City, £3.5m

9-Tiago Ilori, Sporting Lisbon to Liverpool £7m

8-Nicolas Anelka, Shanghai Shenhua to West Brom, free transfer

7-Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid to Arsenal, £42m

6-Jozy Altidore, AZ Alkmaar to Sunderland, £6.5m

5-Dani Osvaldo, Roma to Southampton, £15m

4-Roberto Soldado, Valencia to Tottenham Hotspur £26m

3-Andreas Cornelius, FC Copenhagen to Cardiff, £8m

2-Erik Lamela, Roma to Tottenham Hotspur, £30m

1-Marouane Fellaini, Everton to Manchester United, £27.5m

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Mesut Ozil goal vs Everton

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Wenger : Ozil is going to miss two or three games

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mesut Ozil will miss as "two-to-three games" with a shoulder injury that ruled him out of Sunday's match against Newcastle.

The midfielder, who has started every Premier League game since his move from Real Madrid on the final day of the transfer window, damaged his shoulder during the 3-1 win over West Ham on Boxing Day.

Wenger told Sky Sports: "I would have loved him here [at Newcastle] but he had a shoulder problem, he fell on his shoulder. He will be out for two-to-three games."

The Germany international will not feature against Cardiff on New Year's Day and is a doubt for his side's FA Cup third-round tie against north London rivals Tottenham but could make his return against Aston Villa on January 13.

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Mourinho : Ozil completes the puzzle for Arsenal

Jose Mourinho has hailed Mesut Ozil's impact in the Premier League, describing him as the final piece of the puzzle as Arsenal look to win a first title in a decade.

The German was a surprise club-record €50 million deadline-day signing at the Emirates Stadium, notching four goals and a league-high seven assists since his arrival.

Mourinho worked with Ozil for three years at Real Madrid, and he feels the midfielder - along with the maturing talents of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott - can guide Arsenal to the title.

"Mesut is a phenomenal player, one of these players that you buy to complete the puzzle of your team," Mourinho is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"You don't need time with him, you need nothing. The player just arrives. His quality and his maturity and his leadership... You put him in and you know automatically your team becomes better.

"There are many ways to improve your team. One of them is to work with young players and another is to go directly to the market and buy one of these finished products. Arsenal had the chance to do it with Mesut and they did very well.

"I think, in the deep of their souls, [Arsenal] think they can [win the title]. In my previous time here, Walcott was a kid. He's now a man. Other players are in the best moment of their careers - [Jack] Wilshere, Ramsey and [Kieran] Gibbs."

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Wenger: Signing Ozil made up for missing out on Higuain

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that the signing of Mesut Ozil has more than made up for the disappointment of missing out on Gonzalo Higuain.

The Frenchman spent the early part of the summer attempting to secure the services of 'El Pipita', who has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for new club Napoli, but, after failing to meet Real Madrid's valuation of the Argentina international, eventually lured Ozil away from the Santiago Bernabeu instead.

The former Blancos team-mates will face-off on Wednesday in Italy, with both sides looking to progress to the last 16 at the expense of the other but, whatever the outcome, Wenger is adamant that he has no regrets over missing out on Higuain.

"Am I happy with the player I got in Ozil? Very much," he told reporters. "There were a lot of statements that were not true about Higuain.

"He has joined [Rafa] Benitez. He is in good hands and shows he is a great striker [but] we have Olivier Giroud who shows as well that he is a great striker."

Despite recording four victories from their five games, Arsenal still have work to do in order to ensure qualification.

However, the Premier League leaders need only to avoid defeat by a three-goal margin to progress and a point would ensure top spot in a group that also includes last year's runners-up, Borussia Dortmund.

Wenger added: "Our priorities are simple: First, qualify, if possible top [of the group]. For me, the first priority is to qualify. If we finish top, it is even better."

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Ozil: I can handle Arsenal pressure thanks to Real Madrid spell

Mesut Ozil is confident he can live up to his price tag and guide Arsenal towards the Premier League title.

The German moved from Real Madrid for a club-record €50 million fee on transfer deadline day to much fanfare, and has since notched three goals and six assists as the Gunners moved four points clear at the top of the table.

And Ozil insists he is unfazed by any pressure to perform after spending three seasons at Liga giants Real Madrid, where a similar must-win attitude was prevalent.

I've played for Real Madrid, where the pressure is so huge because you have to go and really win absolutely every game," he told the Daily Mirror.

"So after having played there for three years, pressure doesn’t scare me. That’s why I don’t really feel the pressure. The second thing is that what I do on a daily basis is what I love.

"I love playing football so I go out to play football and I don’t really feel ­pressure. Of course, there are some days when things don’t work out as well as on other days but that doesn’t have anything to do with pressure."

Ozil also hailed Arsene Wenger, adding that he hopes the Arsenal manager extends his stay at the Emirates Stadium.

"He was the one who convinced me to come here and now I can say that I couldn’t be any happier than to be here," added Ozil. "He really loves ­football. I hope he will stay here for many more years and be successful.

"I think this really has been the perfect step for me to come and join this club. We have some very talented players here and this is why I think we can achieve something great. We have to develop further to achieve this, but we can do it."

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Capello : Real Madrid made a mistake by selling Ozil

Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello feels that the Santiago Bernabeu side were wrong to sell Mesut Ozil to Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

Madrid opted to cash in on the Germany international on deadline day after bringing in Gareth Bale and Isco, but Capello believes they would have been better off had they held on to the 25-year-old.

"I don’t know what happened with Ozil. I think that he is an extraordinary player and he was very important for Real Madrid," Capello told Onda Cero.

"He’s a world-class player. They made a mistake selling him."

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Gibbs: Ozil can lead Arsenal to success this season

The England international believes Mesut Ozil has given Arsenal the belief that they can finally end their trophy drought this season.

Mesut Ozil joined the Gunners from Real Madrid for a club-record £42 million in the summer.

Ozil missed a penalty during Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League defeat of Marseille on Tuesday, is still adjusting to life in England, but Gibbs feels the club are capable of winning their first trophy since 2005 following his arrival.

Gibbs told the Daily Mirror: “Mesut Ozil has raised the club, raised the dressing room.A player like that will give you a lift. We’re happy that he’s there. He gives you something extra, something special. I’m happy to be working with him.

“It’s still really early, but I think everyone can see that there’s something special that we can do.

“A trophy is the objective, obviously. But a lot of the trophy competitions domestically haven’t really started.

“But we know we want to win something this season – it’s really important and we feel we can do it. There’s a lot of confidence in the dressing room and in the squad."

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Ozil: Arsenal have nothing to prove to Rooney

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is adamant that the Gunners have nothing to prove to Wayne Rooney or anyone else ahead of their crunch clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

The England striker suggested on Wednesday that Arsene Wenger's side might struggle to maintain a title challenge towards the latter part of the season and that he was confident of getting a positive result against the current Premier League leaders.

Ozil, however, has hit back at Rooney's comments and insisted that his side travel to Manchester with no fear as they look for a win that would move them 11 points clear of David Moyes's side at the top of the table.

"We are going to Old Trafford to have fun and that is why we are going to win," he told The Sun.

"I don't think we have to prove anything to Wayne or anyone else. We know the quality we have and we want to be successful playing our own way.

"The plan is not to go to United and settle for a draw. If we are going to achieve the target of our coach, then we go to win."

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Moyes : We didnt need Ozil

David Moyes says that United did not try to sign Mesut Ozil in the summer because he was a player they "didn’t need”.

The Germany international moved from Real Madrid to Arsenal in August and has proved to be an instant success at the Emirates, helping the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table.

Ozil had also been linked with a move to the Red Devils prior to the deal going through, but Moyes insisted the club were never close to bringing him to Old Trafford.

We weren’t close to buying him but something was mooted a little bit before that,” Moyes told reporters.

“We didn’t need that position at the time. I didn’t even say it was an interest, it was put to us and it was just something at the time we didn’t need.

“We had Shinji Kagawa and Wayne Rooney and people of a similar ilk so it wasn’t quite what we required at that time. We were looking at different positions.”

Moyes will face Ozil and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday and the Scot is confident his side are facing the in-form Gunners at the right time, after an inconsistent start to the season.

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Ancelotti hits back at Ozil

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has hit back at Mesut Ozil in the wake of the Arsenal midfielder's comments that the Italian was one of the main reasons behind his decision to leave the Liga giants during the summer.

The Germany international recently stated that he left Madrid because he felt Ancelotti did not believe in him.

However, the former PSG boss has insisted that the 25-year-old opted to move on due to the stiff competition for places instead.

"Ozil wasn't comfortable. I knew he'd been speaking with another club because he wanted to leave,  Ancelotti told Onda Cero.

"Mesut understood that he had competition, that he wouldn't be able to play every game, and 'I'm off' was his answer.

"I prefer to have [Angel] Di Maria for the team's balance. Di Maria is better than Ozil for group dynamics."

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Ozil: Dortmund can win Champions League

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil feels Borussia Dortmund are one of the favourites to win the Champions League.

The Gunners travel to Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday to meet last season's runners-up in Group F of the competition, with both teams tied on six points along with Napoli.

Dortmund ran out 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium last month, and Ozil feels that victory proves Jurgen Klopp's men have the quality to go all the way in the tournament in 2013-14.

When asked by Bild whether Dortmund could go one better than their 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in May's final this time around, he said: "Sure, why not?

"A team that wins in London is of course one of the favourites. Dortmund was already a strong team in the past season and my impression is that they are better than ever."

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League by five points following their 2-0 victory over Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday.

And Ozil is backing his side to maintain their domestic form and challenge for the title, explaining his happiness at playing in the English capital after his September switch from Real Madrid.

Asked whether Arsenal could win the league, he responded: "Why not?

"Whoever, after 10 games, is five points ahead, also has the potential to stand in front at the end of the season.

"To be honest, at Arsenal everything is fun. The coach, the players and life in London - I really feel comfortable."

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Wenger : Ozil is better at dribbling than Zidane,

Arsene Wenger believes Mesut Ozil is better at dribbling than Zinedine Zidane, though says both players share a "special quality".

The Germany international has impressed since his €50 million move from Real Madrid in September, and the Arsenal boss claims the midfielder possesses similar attributes to the former France star.

Ozil has a special quality, he always takes the right decision quickly," Wenger told Telefoot.

"Ozil is a bit better at dribbling than Zidane. They have a similar form of technical ease and similar humility."

Wenger revealed that Arsenal were competing alongside Paris Saint-Germain for Ozil’s signature during the summer transfer window and believes his past interest in the 25-year-old influenced his decision to move to the Premier League.

"Last summer, the first contact was in my home. It was fairly quiet. He took a decision in almost 24 hours. After that, carrying out the transfer and the decision was fairly quick," Wenger said.

"I tried to get him before he moved to Real [in 2010]. It was between them and us at the time. He called me and he told me that he had chosen Real, but he told me he would have also liked to come at us.

"Paris were also interested last summer. And the advantage I had was that I had contacted him before he went to Real."

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Bergkamp : Ozil is what Arsenal were missing

Mesut Ozil has given Arsenal what they have been missing under Arsene Wenger in recent years, according to Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp.

Ozil has made a stunning start to life in England since arriving from Real Madrid for €50 million on transfer deadline day, and scored twice in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Norwich.

And Bergkamp, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal and treated Gunners fans to many memorable moments on the pitch, believes Ozil's arrival has galvanised his former club.

"If I look at the bench in the beginning of the season, what he has achieved and what he is doing, he is one of those players who can be decisive in a game, who can link up with the midfielder, but with the strikers as well," said the Dutchman, speaking to Absolute Radio's Rock 'N' Roll Football show.

"And he can provide other players, he can have assists, but he can score goals as well.

"He has got lovely vision, so I believe he is one of the sort of players Arsenal have been missing.

"They had Van Persie who was a little bit like that, but then you miss someone upfront.

"I still believe they could do with another sort of striker, who can score goals, who can score 15/20 goals a season for example. Then they have got quite a good team."

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Zico : The Arsenal star is Germany's brain

Brazil legend Zico has taken the time to praise Mesut Ozil and feels the Arsenal star is the brain of Germany's national team.

Ozil scored one goal and set up another in Germany's 5-3 win over Sweden on Tuesday, having already played a key role in the 3-0 victory against Republic of Ireland that sealed qualification for the 2014 World Cup.

Given the playmaker has also made a sensational start to his Gunners career following his summer switch from Real Madrid, Zico believes the 25-year-old should be in contention for the Fifa Ballon d'Or.

"Ozil is a great player. He's the brain of the German national team," the Selecao legend was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"I already get excited just by seeing him play. He has the ability to read the game and play a killer pass.

"Germany have not had a playmaker like him since Wolfgang Overath in the 1970s. It would only be right if he were among the candidates to win the Ballon d'Or."

Zico then went on to discuss Germany's World Cup chances and he feels Joachim Low's men are unlikely to emerge victorious next summer.

"Germany are a great team with the potential to win the World Cup, but I don't think they will win it," he mused.

"History is against them. A European team has never won the World Cup in South America."

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Khedira: Ozil departure weakened Madrid

The midfielder feels los Blancos have suffered following the playmaker's departure and bemoans "disrespectful" treatment by the Spanish media

Sami Khedira says Real Madrid are weaker following Mesut Ozil's departure to Arsenal.

The Germany star completed a €50 million deadline-day move to the Premier League giants in August, and his national team colleague has now admitted los Blancos are suffering from the playmaker's switch.

"Many players lament the departure of Mesut Ozil, including me," the 26-year-old told Kicker.

"Losing a player with the qualities of Mesut means a weakening. But we have many players in our ranks with great qualities."

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Ozil hits back over Real Madrid criticism

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has defended his record at Real Madrid after the Spanish club's president questioned his mentality.

Florentino Perez claimed that the 24-year-old had requested his deadline-day switch to the Premier League as he "could not stand the pressure of Madrid".

However, the Germany international wants to draw a line under the issue, stating that he was happy with his contribution during his stay at Santiago Bernabeu.

"First of all, I had three wonderful years in Madrid, I don't want to add anything on that. I am now at Arsenal and very happy," Ozil told the press.

"If you see my figures [in Madrid] and how many matches I played there, then you can also see my professionalism. I don't want to say more about it."

Ozil has made a flying start to life at Arsenal, assisting five goals in six games to help Arsene Wenger's men move to the top of the Premier League and Champions League Group F.

"For me, personally, the Premier League is the strongest, it is well balanced. You have many top-class clubs," the midfielder enthused.

"I think it's a nice experience to play abroad. You get to learn a new culture and new language, you improve a lot as a person. That's why I am happy to have another new experience in England. I really think this league will suit me well."

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TOP 20 SUMMER TRANSFERS

20 - Isco (Malaga - Real Madrid €30m)

19 - David Villa (Barcelona - Atletico Madrid €5.1m)

18 - Carlos Tevez (Manchester City - Juventus €14m)

17 -   Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich - Fiorentina €15.5m)

16 -  Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid - Arsenal €50m)

15 -  Paulinho (Corinthians - Tottenham €20.6m)

14 - Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid - Monaco €60m)

13 - Juan Quintero (Atletico Nacional - Porto €5m)

12 - Neymar (Santos - Barcelona €57m)

11 - Willian (Anzhi Makhachkala - Chelsea €35.2m)

10 -  Roberto Soldado (Valencia - Tottenham €30.6m)

9 - Jesus Navas (Sevilla - Manchester City €17.6m)

8 - Kevin Strootman (PSV - Roma €17m)

7 - Edinson Cavani (Napoli - Paris Saint-Germain €64m)

6 - Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund - Bayern Munich €37m)

5 - Erik Lamela (Roma - Tottenham €30m)

4 - Eric Abidal (Barcelona - Monaco free transfer)

3 - Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Shakhtar - Dortmund €27.5m)

2 - Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid - Napoli €40.6m)

1 - Gareth Bale (Tottenham - Real Madrid €100m)

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Official : Ozil joins Arsenal

The british club , Arsenal  has brooken another record. They have announced the club-record £40 million signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.

Ozil underwent final medical tests in Germany as he were training with the Germany National team for the 2 Qualifiers matches of September.

Ozil will earn £130,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium on a five-year contract.

"I had 3 great years at Real , where I developed as a player and as a person. I won 3 titles there , great years of my career, but now I want to focus on Arsenal." - told Ozil.

"In talks with Arsene Wenger, I immediately sensed what has been missing for me. I will pay back this trust to the club and the fans in each game. I want to help the club to win the title."

Ozil made 104 appearances with Madrid , scoring 19 goals.

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Who would be happy by staying in the bench?

The Italian coach , Carlo Ancelotti tells to the media that he is glad that Mesut Ozil is not happy.

Mesut Ozit was left out of the starting XI vs Athletic Bilbao , where Los Blancos won 3-1 by 2 goals of Isco and Ronaldo scoring once.

"I'm glad that Mesut isnt happy. Who would be happy by staying in the bench? Its good that he isn't happy as I dont like players that are happy to stay at bench. " said Ancelotti to the reporters.

Isco played a starring role in Ozil's absence with two goals, and the Spain starlet was thrilled at the reception he received from the home faithful following his display.

"If Mesut works more harder , there will always be a place for him in the STARTING XI"

Mesut Ozil have made 104 appearances with Real Madrid , scoring 19 goals.

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