Wenger: Ozil is a better dribbler than Zidane

Arsene Wenger has praised the impact of German attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil on Arsenal’s fortunes this season claiming he is a better dribbler than Zinedine Zidane whilst admitting he had to fend off Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.

The French giants were interested in signing the Gunners star while he was at Real Madrid in the summer, but Wenger claims he moved quickly to secure the transfer, revealing how he trumped the Parisians by already having the Germany international’s contact details from an earlier attempt at signing him.

“PSG wanted Ozil but I had an advantage because I’d already had that contact,” Wenger told the Metro. ”He came to my house and he decided quickly. The first contact happened at my place, for discretion. He decided in 24 hours.”

In hindsight, Wenger will be relieved at securing Ozil’s services. The former Schalke and Werder Bremen midfielder has been the catalyst for Arsenal’s good form this season. They currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League after ten games.

“Ozil has a special quality,” Wenger added. “He always makes the right decision quickly. He is a [more attacking] dribbler than Zidane – they have a similar form of technical ease and similar humility.”

The Gunners boss also elected to comment on the Ballon d’Or nominations, and backed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to beat the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the prize.

“Is Zlatan better than Messi and Ronaldo?” Wenger added. “Right now, I’d say he is. At 32, you know how to get the best from your talent.”