‘Ozil signing proves financial strength’

Arsène Wenger says that signing Mesut Ozil demonstrates Arsenal’s new financial strength. Ozil moved from Real Madrid on deadline day for a club-record fee after the Spanish side completed the signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur. Wenger says he was happy to spend the money to land Ozil and believes the transfer of Bale helped make the deal happen. We had to go through some years when I signed a long-term contract where we had some restricted financial potential Arsène Wenger “Honestly I think it was linked with the Bale transfer,” the manager said. “I don't know exactly what happened inside the club in Madrid. Was it down to financial reasons? Was it down to the fact that when they bought Bale they had Isco and they had to let somebody go? I was surprised, yes. “I fight for the teams to spend the money they had made and not the money they have artificially earned. Once they have made that money I am happy to spend it. As you know as well, what is very important for us is to find world-class players. There are not plenty around. “We had to go through some years when I signed a long-term contract where we had some restricted financial potential. And the target was to stay in the Champions League in this period and we managed to do it. We are now in a strong position financially.”