Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund: Neven Subotic feels Gunners made Europe's best sit up and take notice with Mesut Ozil signing

Last season's Champions League runner's-up are preparing to face Ozil and Co with the Gunners in red hot form

Mesut Ozil will go up against Neven Subotic when Arsenal meet Borussia Dortmund (GETTY IMAGES)

Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic has admitted that Arsenal’s signing of Mesut Ozil has forced the biggest clubs in Europe to sit up and take notice, ahead of the Champions League clash between the two sides at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Having joined the Gunners on transfer deadline day for £42.5m, Ozil has since scored three goals and laid on four assists in his seven appearances, helping the north London side to the top of the Premier League as well as their Champions League group containing Dortmund, Napoli and Marseille.

And speaking to the Evening Standard, Subotic believes that they sent out a major signal of their intent for the rest of the season when they moved for Ozil.

“It was definitely something I didn’t expect or saw coming. In the past years, from what I could tell, Arsenal were more likely to sell a player for £40million instead of buying one,” Subotic said.

“This is a step forward for them, they have grown and are now buying the kind of players they had to sell a few years ago. In the last few years, the best players are increasing in value. Everyone is trying to make a statement and Arsenal have done that.

“Sometimes it can take six months or even a year to get accustomed to the League but, within a few games, Ozil already has a lot of assists and goals.

“I was surprised Real Madrid sold him. He played against us four times in the Champions League last season and scored in the last minute of one of the group games to tie the match.

“He’s just very talented. He has nearly perfect technique with his left foot, he knows where to pass the ball, to find the open man, the deadly pass. He has all the offensive qualities any coach would want.

“When you are bought for £40m, you have everything you need to play at the highest level. You belong to the best in the world, he has a lot of quality and is one of the best in his position.”

Subotic has warned Arsenal that Robert Lewandowski is keen to makes amends tomorrow for his disappointing display for Poland in the capital last week.

Lewandowski missed a number of chances as England secured their place at the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Poland at Wembley.

But Subotic said: “He’s very eager [to make up for how he played against England]. He didn’t get to where he is without always looking to conquer the next obstacle.

“He’s been very important for us over the last few years and been one of the best strikers in Europe. He scored four goals against Real Madrid last season and that speaks for itself.”

Speculation continues about where he will play next season, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City still being linked with him even though he looks certain to join Bayern Munich on a free transfer.

Subotic added: “We have had players leave or want to leave. Robert is one of the latter and there was some confusion in the summer.

“But you can tell he is always giving 100 per cent—- that’s the most important thing. I’m sure it’s going to help him continue scoring goals in the future.

“We are glad to have him another season. I’m not really worried what will happen to him in the future, I’m just happy he is playing for us right now and scoring.”