Cesc Fabregas believes that Arsenal have signed Real Madrid’s “second best player” in Mezut Ozil, Sky Sports understands.
The former Gunners captain,, who was himself linked with a return to the Premier League from Barcelona this summer, believes that Ozil will flourish at the Emirates following his £42.4m deadline day switch.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has revealed that he blocked Demba Ba’s proposed move to Arsenal due to them completing a deal for Germany international Ozil, the Metro understands.
The Blues boss believes that by signing the midfielder, who he worked with for three years at the Bernabeu, the North London club have emerged as title contenders.
Arsene Wenger’s inability to complete a deal for Ba leaves him with desperately short of out and out strikers, with Olivier Giroud and unproven France U20 striker Yaya Sanogo and Nickas Bendtner his only real options in that position at this time.
The latter was reportedly desperate to secure a move away from the Emirates this summer, but has told the Mail Online that he is keen to kick-start his Gunners career.
He has spent the last two seasons on loan with Sunderland and Juventus, and has not scored for Arsenal since the 5-0 FA Cup fifth round replay victory over Leyton Orient in March 2011, when the Danish international hit a hat-trick.