Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has expressed his 'surprise' that Real Madrid allowed midfielder Mesut Ozil to leave the Bernabeu for Arsenal.

The German international made a reported £42.5m switch to the Emirates on deadline day, causing a number of Madrid players to express their disappointment at his exit.

"I was very surprised that Madrid let Ozil leave because he understands football better than anyone else," Iniesta told Onda Cero. "They will have had their reasons to let him go, though."

Ozil's departure came about following the club's acquisition of £85m Gareth Bale.