Arsenal’s megastar winger, Bukayo Saka, has introduced a shocking and sparkling tribute to former teammate Mesut Ozil, naming the German playmaker as the most productive participant he has ever performed along.
The endorsement from the 24-year-old, who has shared the pitch with the likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, for England, underscores the original and simple genius of the retired midfielder.
Talking to BBC Radio 5, Saka was once requested who’s the most productive participant he has performed with.
The Arsenal winger spoke back: “Maybe Mesut Ozil. High quality player, man. It was just fun, hard to describe it. Fun to play with him, fun to watch him.”
Who’s the most productive participant Bukayo Saka has ever performed with? ?#BBCFootball #AFC #ThreeLions percent.twitter.com/FH3m4RqkS9
This sentiment completely captures the admiration many younger Gunners had for the midfielder, who possessed a unprecedented imaginative and prescient and creativity steadily unseen at the Premier League degree.
Saka performed 17 fits along Mesut Ozil right through the early phases of his senior profession, obviously leaving a long-lasting influence of sheer, easy high quality.
Mesut Ozil’s time at Arsenal
Ozil, who joined Arsenal from Actual Madrid in 2013, was synonymous with elite-level playmaking.
Regardless of a tumultuous finish to his spell in North London, his height years equipped Arsenal enthusiasts with unforgettable moments of footballing artistry.
Right through his tenure, Ozil registered 44 objectives and 77 assists throughout 254 appearances for the membership in all competitions.
Participant
Appearances
Targets
Assists
Competitions
Mesut Ozil
254
44
77
All competitions
A spotlight of his outstanding output was once the 2015/16 Premier League season, the place he recorded a staggering 19 assists within the league, a complete 2nd most effective to Thierry Henry and a testomony to his standing as probably the most perfect inventive forces in Europe on the time.
He additionally helped the membership safe 4 FA Cup titles, breaking their notorious nine-year trophy drought.
Ozil’s political affairs and the top of his Arsenal profession
Whilst Mesut Ozil’s high quality at the pitch was once by no means in query, his profession at Arsenal was once in the end impacted by means of off-field controversies.
The German midfielder brazenly criticised China’s human rights insurance policies in 2018.
The location escalated after he made a debatable put up on social media in December 2019, talking out towards the alleged persecution of Uighur Muslims in China.
Arsenal temporarily moved to distance themselves from the feedback, mentioning that the content material was once “Ozil’s personal opinion” and that the membership “always adheres to the principle of not involving itself in politics.”
Given the huge industrial pursuits of the Premier League and the membership in China, the feedback drew a direct and critical backlash, together with the cancellation of the membership’s fit broadcast by means of Chinese language state tv.
The following marginalisation of the high-earning megastar, who was once in the end overlooked of each the Premier League and Europa League squads, culminated in his departure to Fenerbahce in January 2021.
(Photograph by means of Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC by means of Getty Pictures)
What’s Mesut Ozil doing now?
Since retiring from skilled soccer in March 2023 after a last spell with İstanbul Başakşehir, Mesut Ozil has transitioned into a brand new bankruptcy centered in large part on politics in Turkey and several other industry ventures.
Ozil, who’s of Turkish descent, has formally entered the political enviornment in Turkey, becoming a member of the central council of the ruling Justice and Construction Celebration (AKP) in 2025.
This transfer follows his fashioned shut ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Past politics, the previous German global is pursuing various industry pursuits.
(Photograph by means of Jürgen fromme – firo sportphoto/Getty Pictures)
He is still concerned along with his esports staff, which he at the beginning based in 2018. Moreover, Ozil has additionally received a stake within the Mexican soccer membership, Membership Necaxa.
Ozil has additionally devoted time to bodily transformation since his retirement, spending time within the fitness center to construct a extra muscular body, which is a noticeable distinction from his enjoying days.
