• Premier League

Podolski: Ozil perfect for Arsenal

Lukas Podolski insists Germany team-mate Mesut Ozil will be a "perfect fit" for Arsenal.

Real Madrid allowed Ozil to join Arsenal for £42.5 million on deadline day, taking many by surprise, and Podolski said the transfer reminded him of Per Mertesacker's move from Werder Bremen to Arsenal back in 2011.

"That was also done at short notice and completed on deadline day," he said.

There has been widespread surprise that Madrid allowed Ozil to leave, with AS reporting Cristiano Ronaldo is "angry" about the deal and team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa saying he thought it was a joke. Germany boss Joachim Low was also at a loss to explain the decision.

Podolski, though, is simply delighted the player will be plying his trade at The Emirates.

"I've known Mesut for a long time now," he said. "I love to play with him and I think he loves to play with me. We complement each other quite well."

He added: "This is a super transfer for us. Arsenal are getting a fantastic footballer. I believe that he is a perfect fit for our understanding of football. We make a lot of quick passes - play football just the way he needs it to be played. I am positive that he will help us."

Arsenal now have five German players in their first-team squad - Podolski, Ozil, Mertesacker, Serge Gnabry and Gedion Zelalem - while Arsene Wenger, born in the French region of Alsace on the German border, can speak the language.

"We have five Germans now, and the manager speaks German," Podolski said. "I am positive that Mesut will enjoy it and we'll have a lot of fun."

Podolski will have to wait to link up with Ozil on the field, however, as he could be sidelined until December with a hamstring injury and he said: "I've felt better, that's for sure.

"Depending on how the healing process goes, I will be out for about three months. I love football so, of course, I am impatient. It is difficult for me when I am not able to play for a longer period of time, but I can't do anything about it.

"I have to take the things as they are and try and make the best of the situation. The timing is really frustrating, but it could have been worse and I could have injured myself directly before the World Cup."

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