Neven Subotic: 'Mesut Ozil signing statement of intent'

Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic has said that Arsenal's signing of Mesut Ozil is a step forward for the club, with the £42.5m deal coming as a statement of intent.

Ozil has been in imperious form for Arsenal since joining the club, having played an integral role in creating assists and also scoring in their opening games this season.

"It was definitely something I didn't expect or saw coming. In the past years, from what I could tell, Arsenal were more likely to sell a player for £40m instead of buying one," The Evening Standard quotes him as saying.

"This is a step forward for them, they have grown and are now buying the kind of players they had to sell a few years ago. In the last few years, the best players are increasing in value. Everyone is trying to make a statement and Arsenal have done that.

"Sometimes it can take six months or even a year to get accustomed to the League but, within a few games, Ozil already has a lot of assists and goals."

Arsene Wenger has also decided to start Ozil as his side face Subotic's Dortmund in the Champions League tonight.