Mesut Ozil Targets Emulating Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal

Arsenal's record signing Mesut Ozil has revealed the opportunity to emulate the likes of Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas convinced him to swap Real Madrid for the Emirates Stadium on deadline day.

The German international joined The Gunners on the final day of the summer transfer window, smashing the club's record transfer in a deal worth a reported £42m.

Ozil is expected to make his Arsenal debut in the Premier League trip to Sunderland this weekend and the 24 year old says the opportunity to better himself was the primary motivation for moving to north London.

"It feels great, it's really great," Ozil said. "I feel very good here, it's great to be part of this team.

"The city is very nice and you can see how familiar this club is. I feel very good here, everyone is very cordial, the boss is great I'm sure he will improve me. I want to continue developing here, I want to keep improving and this is why I've come to the team.

"Of course I'm new here and I'm curious. I've only heard good things. This is a successful club with young players who develop well here and this is one of the reasons I've come here. I'm really happy to be here under such a big manager.

"I know how successful Arsenal have been and players like[Thierry] Henry and[Cesc] Fabregas. I know the move here is the right one for me. Many young players came here, improved and became the best players in the world.

"It was the most important for me what he [Wenger] thinks about me and what his plans are for me. I decided to come to Arsenalbecause I had the trust and a family environment here. He told me what he thinks about me and that's why I chose Arsenal.

"I can't promise to win trophies but as a team we will give our all to win trophies. We want to play attractive football. I know the team, the talent we have here. Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, we want to achieve something in this team.

"The league is the strongest in the world but we will give everything to have success."

Ozil's departure from the Bernabeu has been overshadowed by suggestions from his father that legal action might be taken against Real following accusations club president Florentino Perez had made up stories regarding the midfielder's' private life.

But the ex-Werder Bremen schemer added: "I don't want to say anything bad about Real Madrid because I had three wonderful years there.

"We achieved trophies and I had a great time there. The people who know me know how professional I am. I played 159 games - you can't play that many games if you're not professional.

"I don't care about the rumours, people know how professional I am. I'm in London now, we have big goals here and we will work hard to reach them.

"I did not get the respect and the trust in Madrid," he added. "It was a bit difficult and when I talked to Arsene on the phone he was full of respect.

"As a player I need the respect. I felt that here and that's why I wanted to come. The topic of Madrid is good and I want to look ahead. I have wonderful years ahead he and I want to win trophies."

Since confirming the signing of Ozil, reports have suggested Wenger tried to sign the Germany man during his days at Bremen, and the Gunners boss says that initial contact helped secure the most dramatic of deadline day signings.

When Mesut [Ozil] went to Real Madrid we were already in touch back then, I wanted to get him to Arsenal. I didn't get him but that was the start of the relationship. the second time it worked - and I think the first contact really helped."