Arsene Wenger deserves credit for signing Ozil and will remain at Arsenal beyond the summer, says Hull boss Bruce



Steve Bruce admitted he was 'baffled' by question marks over Arsene Wenger’s future and claimed the signing of Mesut Ozil was a statement Arsenal are ready to reassert themselves at the top.

Germany playmaker Ozil has struggled for form and fitness since signing from Real Madrid for £42.5million last summer, but is set to return from a hamstring injury against Hull City at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

But Hull boss Bruce has backed the attacking midfielder to prove his worth and is convinced Arsenal’s board will make it a priority to secure Wenger’s future beyond the end of this season.

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‘It was great to see them signing someone like Ozil,’ he said. ‘Looking from afar, it seems they spent eight or nine years funding the new stadium and were not able to compete at the top level in the transfer market.

‘But paying all that money for Ozil was a statement that they are now ready to challenge the biggest clubs in Europe for any outstanding talent that becomes available. It sends out a real message, because he is a terrific player, a real danger to any team he comes up against. In fact, I just hope he is on the bench for a long, long time on Sunday.

‘He’s not the only one who has had injury problems this season. Arsenal have been without some top players, like Ozil, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and jack Wilshere, but they are still on course for another top-four finish.



Statement of intent: Ozil - in action against Man United - has suffered with injury towards the end of this season

'Arsene hasn’t spent on anything like the same scale as some of the big clubs, yet Arsenal are always competing in semi-finals and even finals in the Champions’ League, as well as for honours on the domestic front. How people can question him, when you look at his record, baffles me.

'The guy has done an amazing job in 17 years at Highbury and The Emirates. Sixteen of those have ended with a top-four finish, and that is remarkable. I’ve huge respect for him, and I imagine those who employ him will be doing everything in their power to keep him at the club, because they know the tremendous job he’s done.

'He has been a problem for English managers and coaches, because he was the first foreign one to come in and make his mark, and other clubs have looked at that and decided to go down the same route. They think they’ll find another Arsene Wenger, but there aren’t many like him.

'He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he has proved to be one of the greats. He deserves everyone’s respect for what he has achieved, and I’m sure he has not finished yet.’

Wembley way: Hull secured their place in the final in the 5-3 victory over Sheffield United