How Mesut Ozil fell out of love with Arsenal

Mesut Ozil’s time at Arsenal began as a love affair, with street parties celebrating his arrival. He was a consistent source of assists and watchable moments. However, he operated much of the time in the centre of a culture war. And by the end of his time in North London the relationship had turned very sour.

What went wrong? Why? And how did it end?

Told by Seb Stafford-Bloor, illustrated by Henry Cooke.

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#Ozil #Arsenal

[devone]

As a kid learning about football all I knew was Real Madrid and Barcelona. I followed Ozil from Real Madrid to Arsenal and found myself falling in love with a club who while not very successful at the time, was playing beautiful football and had class and history!! It's been painful sometimes being a gunner but at times it's been amazing and I will always have Ozil (and Wenger) to thank for that

[benedictchinweuba]

I'll never forget Mesut Ozil's immense contribution to Mourinho's Real Madrid. In the 2011/12 season, he was the player with the most assists in all competitions in Europe after Messi. He was part of a Madrid side that I felt deserved to win the 2012 Champions League title.

His playmaking and passing ability was out of this world. Shame it went downhill for him so quickly.

[TheChampIsHere_]

Remember him as a young player at 2010 world cup, ive never seen such an exciting young player tear up a wc like that ..i remember thinking imagine if arsenal could sign him ..i still couldnt believe we signed him a few years later … generational talent but you always feel like he could have done more

[jimibaboza]

He was right to deny the pay cut, he asked for assurances that the saving would be used to keep people employed. The club refused and indeed did make a bunch of people redundant a few months later despite telling him they wouldn't.

[Avalon_]

The Cazorla injury. When Cazorla was a deep lying playmaker, Arsenal were brilliant. It fell apart once Cazorla was gone and it went downhill for Arsenal and Wenger. They're only just recovering now. Ozil, Cazorla and Sanchez were a brilliant trio.

[KingsOfRugby]

He was absolutely magic at the start of Mikel's reign too, he was always my favourite player. Will never forget some of his unbelievable seasons, or that game vs Ludgorets

[ocorir]

Ozil was the one who made me fall in love with the game. Watching him in the 2010 World Cup was pure joy.

[Jamiea]

I consider Ozil to be one of the players that brought back a winning mentality to Arsenal, not to mention one of the finest players to watch in his time at the club. It was sad how it all ended as he should go down as one of the finest players to wear the shirt. Especially of the last 10 years.

Those FA Cup victories after 10 years of nothing didn't go unnoticed.

[theonewhoknocks]

Will always be gratefu to ozil for making me appreciate the beauty of football. Became my fav player ever when he signed for arsenal. Was just a joy to watch for me.

[shahnewazkf]

mourinho never complained about his physicality or work rate despite him being a defensive coach. Both wenger and mourinho understood his talent and used him in games well. He's one of the few players you can name from 2014-2019 time period, others are so forgettable in that team but still wenger got some good finishes in the league including a second place finish

[hummuswithpitta]

We were beyond lucky to have had him. Thanks for the memories Mesut!

[kokafalasi]

Great to see some positive comments here about Mesut after the way it finished.

Yes there were issues (from both sides really) but on pure talent, he’s one of the best to ever play for the club. I couldn’t believe it when we signed him. When he was good, he was GOOD!

Still have a shirt with his name on it. Thanks for the memories Mesut.

[TGFLdn]

Yes, the first issues started a little around the contract extension, like a lot of players in England, once they get that big hike, players seem to pull the handbrake and everything seems a struggle. Also, people should look at his longtime adviser/ agent in his role in the Real Madrid contact talks/latter years at arsenal, and his time in Turkey....

[lucafer]

even through all of this, Mesut still remains one of my favourite players ever

[AtTheBridgePod]

When I think Mesut Ozil at Arsenal I remember his class goal against Ludogorets 😍

[DC-YTC]

The Prem changed, you had to work hard off the ball. Luxury midfielders & Number 9s that only sat on the shoulder of the last defender put your team at a disadvantage. Arsenal weren't the best team talent wise so ended up getting thrashed by teams who worked harder than them and had the quality to punish them

[tylerschmitt]

Germany and specifically Özils 2014 World Cup performances and style of play made me fall in love with football and become an Arsenal fan.
He’ll always be my favorite player of all time.

[thegunnersfan]

Whatever haters say about him, he's one of the club's best during its worst era.

[duncan]

Brilliant for three seasons, pretty good for the next two and then appalling for the last two. He's fortunate the team has become good again so quickly after he left, it makes it very easy to ignore the bad patch and just remember his better times

[HorridLokiacudiv]

Sad how it ended but delighted that it ever happened. An icon forever, a legendary midfielder who inspired generations of players around the globe. A Gunner forever, much löve Mesut, always 🔴🔴❤❤