Carlo Ancelotti admits allowing Mesut Ozil to leave was a "mistake"

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he made a mistake in allowing Mesut Ozil to leave the club to join Arsenal.

The German international, who moved to the Gunners in the summer for £42.5m, has scored four goals and picked up eight assists in his six months at the Emirates Stadium.

"I think we made a mistake when we gave him the possibility to leave the club," Gulf News quotes Ancelotti as saying. "However, we have fantastic strikers and don't need a back-up after [Gonzalo] Higuain's departure."

The 25-year-old is expected to start for Arsenal tomorrow night at Villa Park, with his side looking to reclaim top spot.