Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil admits Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo helped him become a better player.

Ozil, who left Real for Arsenal in 2013, contributed many assists to Ronaldo's goal haul during the Germany international's three-year stint in Spain, but the Gunners midfielder insists it is he who owes the forward for their time together.

"Cristiano Ronaldo, I never saw one guy like him," Ozil told Arsenal's YouTube channel.

"He is the first guy in the dressing room and the last guy to go home. He wants to fight even in a training game.

"He made me better on the pitch. Of course, I give my assists, a lot, to him and he knows. But I really enjoyed playing with him because he does not need a lot of chances.

"So even if I give him two assists, he will score two. Amazing player. One of the greatest players in history."