Arsenal have made some high-profile signings over the years, with some world-class players joining at the peak of their powers.
The greatest players Arsenal have had perhaps arrived as lesser-known stars, but Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry went on to become footballing legends.
In terms of a well-established superstar arriving at Arsenal, for years no signing would eclipse that of Inter Milan and Netherlands midfielder Dennis Bergkamp joining in 1995. Bergkamp was a household name thanks to his exploits with the Dutch National Team including at Euro 1992, but one signing was perhaps even bigger.
On transfer deadline day in 2013, Arsenal were yet to spend a penny until Arsene Wenger pulled off a coup and signed Real Madrid superstar Mesut Ozil for a club record fee, and he arrived as one of the world’s very best players.
Ozil produced magic at times in an Arsenal shirt, but his eight-year spell at the club ended badly after a fallout with Mikel Arteta. Despite this, his reputation in football remains strong.
Sami Khedira says Mesut Ozil is the best player he has ever seen
Ozil won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, less than a year after joining Arsenal, and this saw him reunite with Real Madrid star Sami Khedira during the tournament in Brazil.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on FIVE, Khedira remarkably claimed that Ozil was the best player he has ever seen, even above Lionel Messi and any other all-time great.
“For me, personal wise, he was the best player I’ve ever seen,” Khedira stated.
“Technical wise, and his vision you know, like his first touch, his movement between the lines and to understand the game, how to give passes to his the strikers, he was the best I’ve ever seen.”#
Mesut Ozil was a creative genius for Real Madrid, Arsenal and Germany
Ozil was a marmite figure at Arsenal as he sometimes received criticism for a perceived lack of intensity off the ball, but as a creative playmaker, he was second to none.
In three seasons at Real Madrid, Ozil recorded 81 assists, whilst the 2015-16 season saw him set the Premier League record for the most chances created in a campaign, with 146.
Ozil retired with a World Cup, a La Liga title and several FA Cups under his belt, amongst other trophies, and he was one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation.
During his Real Madrid spell, Ozil eventually wore the iconic number 10 shirt, and fierce El Clasico matches would see him go toe to toe with Messi.
Whilst Messi has now gone down as the greatest player ever, at the time Ozil drew comparisons with him on a pure playmaking level thanks to his sublime technique and vision, and the German was on the victorious side in the 2014 World Cup final when the pair faced each other again.