Arsenal

Arsene Wenger: 'I would pay £42m for Mesut Ozil again'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 20 September 2014

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits that he would have no qualms about paying £42.5m to sign Mesut Ozil again, despite his struggles for the club since his move from Real Madrid.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has insisted that he would pay a club-record fee to sign Mesut Ozil again despite his struggles for the Gunners in the past year.

Wenger signed the German international last season in a £42.5m deal from Real Madrid, smashing his side's transfer record in the process.

However, Ozil has failed to find his best form for the Gunners, and was widely criticised for his performance in Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener.

Wenger told reporters: "I would pay the money again. Of course. You expect the team to play well and not to put the responsibility on any one player to be a magician that does not exist any more in the modern game.

"Of course I have to get the best out of him because of his price. But I feel that responsibility exactly the same for a player who cost £1. He did not pay the £42m himself.

"When I see a talent, for any player, I think how can I get the best out of him. That is not linked with price. It is just a coincidence that the market is like it is."

Arsenal face Aston Villa in their Premier League clash later today.