Arsenal debutant earns praise from manager and team-mate.
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Arsenal debutant Mesut Ozil earned praise from his manager Arsene Wenger and team-mate Aaron Ramsey after his performance in the side’s 3-1 win over Sunderland today.
A deadline day signing from Real Madrid, the German international become Arsenal’s club-record purchase this summer in a sensational £42.4m move, which has shocked the footballing world.
After the distraction of an international break, the 24-year-old finally made his long-awaited debut for the Gunners this afternoon, grabbing an assist for the opening goal in an important away win at the Stadium of Light.
Ramsey was the hero in the end with two goals to kill off the game late on, and the in-form Welsh midfielder was impressed with what he saw from the club’s new marquee signing.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “You have seen what he is all about today. He is a fantastic player and I think he is going to create a lot of opportunities for us.”
Wenger added that Ozil’s display was “outstanding” and revealed the player was actually feeling ill in the build-up to the game, which made him a doubt for inclusion in the side.
However, an injury suffered to influential Spanish playmaker Santi Cazorla forced Wenger to rush Ozil to start the game, though he was impressed with his new player’s response.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “In the first half he was outstanding but he was sick yesterday.
“If (Santi) cazorla had played I certainly wouldn’t have started him. He dropped a bit physically in the second half because he was sick all night on Thursday night.”