Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has explained how the Gunners completed the record signing of Mesut Ozil, including detailing the excitement amongst both players and fans.
The deal for the Germany international was completed on transfer deadline day for approximately £42.4 million, and has been the catalyst for Arsenal’s resurgence this season.
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Prior to Ozil’s arrival, it is easy to forget that fans of the north London outfit were uneasy about their potential achievements this year, with only third choice goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano and teenage striker Yaya Sanogo joining the senior squad.
Walcott explained to the Times that even his father was concerned, and attempted to allay his dad’s worries with a text message.
“Don’t worry, someone’s coming,” read Walcott’s SMS on September 1st – the date he heard from within Arsenal that Ozil was on his way.
His father naturally responded with the news by asking who, but Walcott couldn’t yet tell him.
He knew for certain that evening, when after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the first Premier League north London derby of the campaign, he travelled to meet up with the England squad.
“I knew that night,” confirmed Walcott. “When we met up with England. We all knew.
“I won’t say who told me, but it got round. Players talk among themselves. Everyone knew and we were doing our best to keep it quiet.”
Sometimes a player signing for the club can simply lift his new team-mates.
As Theo Walcott can attest, that was certainly the case with Ozil.
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