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Mesut Ozil defiant and determined during Arsenal unveiling

By on September 12, 2013

Arsenal’s £42.5 million signing Mesut Ozil said he is “on a mission,” in a defiant and determined tone as he was unveiled as Arsenal’s most expensive player ever.

The 24-year-old, who was forced out for Real Madrid over the summer, calmly laid out his goals for his Arsenal career alongside Arsene Wenger.

“I want Arsenal to improve me,” Ozil said. “I want to play attacking and good football,’ he said. “Attractive football is good but we need to be successful, too. I can’t promise we will win trophies but I can promise we will give our all.

“Of course we can challenge for the title. I know the team and I know the talent here.”

But speaking of his Madrid career, the German international was swift to defended himself after criticism of his off-field behavior.

“People who know me know how professional I am,” he said. “The past years, you can see how many games I played – 159 games. If you’re not professional in your life then I don’t think you can play that many games. All the rumours, I don’t care about them. I have a new task here. I’m just looking ahead. I am in London now. We have big goals here and we will work very hard to reach these goals.

“I don’t want to say too many things about Madrid. I have friends there. The fans and the players didn’t understand (why I was sold) but this is football. I am not disappointed, I have made the next step and I have to prove myself and continue developing here.

“That is why I am at the right club. I didn’t get the respect and trust I deserved at Madrid. It was a bit difficult. But, when I spoke to Arsene Wenger on the phone, he was full of respect and that was why I came.

“I already feel good here. I know the club. They are successful and famous and have good young players. The development is all here.”

His new manager, Arsene Wenger, who reportedly drew Ozil to London after speaking on the phone with the midfielder, also shared his determination to make the player click with his side.

“When he first went to Madrid we were in touch,” Wenger said. “We wanted him then. His style of play will integrate him immediately. His movement, his ability and his creativity. He has the attributes of being one of the leaders in our team.”

But, if the move many regarded as a step back for Ozil is to work out not only the player will have to apply himself to make it a worthwhile stay in London, but Wenger will too.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.