Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared that he is delighted to have finally closed a deal for Mesut Ozil tonight, a "top quality footballer" he believes proves the club's ambition to win trophies.

Ozil has signed a long-term deal at the Emirates this evening, after the Gunners agreed a club-record fee believed to be in the region of £42.5m.

Wenger is adamant that he had the full backing of Arsenal's hierarchy in chasing a deal which has smashed the club's previous transfer record by around £27m.

He told the club's official website: "We are extremely pleased to have signed Mesut Ozil. He is a great player, with proven quality at both club and international level. We have watched and admired him for some time as he has all the attributes I look for in an Arsenal player.

"I have said throughout the summer that we have been working hard to bring in top quality players to this football club. This has involved many many people across the club and I have always had the full support of the club in making decisions on the football side.

"Mesut is a top quality footballer who will be a fantastic addition to our talented squad. We are all looking forward to him joining up with us after his international matches with Germany and working with us as an Arsenal player."

The 24-year-old will be on international duty this week, before joining his new teammates in North London ahead of a potential debut for the Gunners at Sunderland on September 14.