Mikel Arteta: 'Only Cristiano Ronaldo better than Mesut Ozil'

Arsenal vice-captain Mikel Arteta believes that his club have signed the best player at Real Madrid, other than Cristiano Ronaldo, in Mesut Ozil.

The German international joined the Gunners on transfer deadline day for a club-record fee of £42.5m from the Spanish giants and signed a five-year contract with the North London outfit.

Ozil made an immediate impact with an assist in the 10th minute on his debut at the weekend, and Arteta believes that is just a sign of things to come from the playmaker.

"I was happy to see him disembark", Arteta told French radio station RMC.

"After Cristiano Ronaldo, he was the best player technically at Real Madrid. He is an experienced player.

"I think he will be a very important player for Arsenal for the next few years."

Ozil was in action as Arsenal recorded a 2-1 win at Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday night.