[THREAD] Mesut Özil, the living legend.

During his childhood he played for different teams in Gelsenkirchen, his hometown. In 2005 he joined the lower categories of Schalke 04.

In his first season in the youth team, with just 16 years old, he won the Bundesliga under 19, scoring 14 goals.

On August 2006, after making his first team debut in a game against Eintracht Frankfurt, he was described as the "next big thing" by the media.

However, soon after rejecting an €1.5 million yearly salary offer he eventually fell out with the club and moved.

There were numerous clubs interested in the 19yo German wonder kid, Werder Bremen, Hannover 96 and VfB Stuttgart were all interested.

But on January 31, 2008, Özil signed for Werder Bremen in an operation which cost the German side €5m and saw him wear the number 11 shirt.

On April, he scored his first Bundesliga goal against Karlsruhe to put his team up 2-1.

Özil played 12 games with Bremen in the 07/08 season finishing second in the Bundesliga.

"We are looking at the future World Player of the Year, that’s how good he is.” Klose.

Although Bremen didn't do well in the 08/09 Bundesliga season, Özil managed to make a significant impact in most of the games scoring 5 goals and providing 23 assists.

He also ended the season in a high as they beat Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal final scoring the winning goal.

Eligible to play either for Germany or Turkey, Özil chose his country of birth.

On 2009 he made his senior international debut against Norway and scored his 1st goal against South Africa in his 3rd appearance.

“We have our own Messi, and he is Özil.” Horst Hrubesch U21 coach.

In the 09/10 season, Özil became Bremen's key playmaker. He went on and led Werder Bremen to become third in the league and again to the cup final.

Özil scored 10 goals and was top assists provider in the league with 16, 29 across all competitions in just 46 appearances.

Just a year after his debut with the national team Özil was selected in Germany's 2010 World Cup squad.

Starting all of his team's matches he helped his side reach the semifinals scoring 1 goal and assisting 3 (most). He was also on the 10 man Golden Ball tournament's shortlist.

Özil leaves Wender Bremen with astonishing numbers. In just two and a half seasons for the club, the german registered 54 assists and 16 goals in 108 games.

70 goal contributions in just 8.512 minutes played, an average of 0.77 goal contributions x 90', not bad for a 21yo.

In August 2010 due to his performances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Özil ensured his place among Europe's top young talents as he signed for Real Madrid. The transaction was €15m on a five-year deal.

"I'm not afraid, I know my potential" said Özil after the transfer went public.

"When the offer came in to join Real Madrid there is no decision to make. Let's be honest, you don't refuse this club."

He made his debut in a friendly against Hércules where he left details of his quality. The official website of the club described it as a "positive debut".

He started the season wearing the number 23. Özil was brought in as a back up for Kaká, but due to his teammate's injury, Özil got a starting role. 

In his first 2 games as a starter at the Bernabéu he walked off the pitch as a second half substitute with standing ovations.

Due to his excellent performances for club and country FIFA and France Football included him in the 23 man shortlist for the balón d'Or award later won by Lionel Messi.

“He understands football better than anyone else.” Andrés Iniesta.

On April Özil said "I am convinced that we are going to win a title."

And so it was, he won the Copa del Rey title after winning by 1-0 against Barcelona. In that competition Özil scored against Levante, Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla and was key for his team's victory.

He finished the season scoring 10 goals and with 26 assists, the highest for any player in any major European competition.

“if you watch the game, you won’t see Özil but if you watch Özil, you will see the whole game.” Pep Guardiola.

Later Özil would participate in the 11/12 pre-season carried out in Germany, USA, England and China.

Also, from now on he would wear the number 10 shirt signalling Mourinho's intent to use him as his main playmaker.

“Ozil is unique. There is no copy of him. Not even a bad copy”

In the first part of the season Özil wouldn't show his best level, however, his best form would return in 2012 where in the first 2 games of the year he got 4 assists.

On May Özil scored the second goal in their 3-0 win against Athletic to add his second title with the club.

He was proclaimed La Liga champion with the Merengues, scoring 10 goals and finishing atop of La Liga assists chart, with 17, 26 across all competitions.

Real Madrid were the first side in the history of Europe’s top five leagues to reach 100 points in a single season.

Özil's fine form with Real Madrid and Germany saw him earn a place in the Ballon d’Or shortlist and nominated in the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in which he finished tenth.

“I can win the Ballon d'Or, I am convinced that it can happen."

Özil was one of the leading forces in Germany's qualification for UEFA Euro 2012 as Germany won all 10 games to top their group. 

Özil scored 5 times during the campaign and provided 7 assists, more than any European international during the EURO 2012 qualifications.

"Our objective is to bring the trophy back to Germany, I'm convinced we can do it."

Although this wasn't possible Özil's performances at the Euros were excellent, he got 2 MOTM Awards, finished as the tournament top assist provider and was named in the Team of the competition.

Although Real Madrid didn't win any silverware in the 12/13 season except for the Spanish Supercup, Özil's performances were praised.

He ended the season with 10 goals and 21 assists in 52 appearances, and it was time for a new challenge.

Mesut Özil provided ronaldo with 27 assists during his time in Madrid, only Karim Benzema provided Ronaldo with more assists than him during CR7’s time at Madrid. The difference? Benzema played with Ronaldo for 10 seasons, Özil just 3.

"Özil made me the world's best striker."

Over the course of his three seasons at Madrid the number 10 registered 73 assists and 27 goals in 157 games. 100 goal contributions in just 11.245 minutes played, an average of 0.8 goal contributions x 90'.

No wonder why Ronaldo stated:
"I’m angry about Özil leaving"

On September 2013, on Deadline Day, it was announced that Arsenal would be getting the 25 years old world class German International for €47m.

The transfer made him the most expensive German football player and Arsenal's record signing. Özil was assigned the number 11 shirt.

Wenger played an important role in his decision.

"At the weekend, I was certain I would stay at Real Madrid but afterwards I realised I did not have the faith from the coach. I am a player who needs this faith and that is what I have felt from Arsenal, which is why I've joined."

Özil made instant impact in the team. In his debut the German only needed of 11 minutes to add one more assist to the ones he had over the past seasons.

Özil’s start with the Gunners was very good, he scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists in his first 5 games.

He also played a big part in Arsenal’s early run of form that saw the team lead the league for 12 consecutive matchdays.

Due to his fine form Özil was again short listed for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award and also featured on the UEFA Team of the Year.

However, a combination of injuries and heavy defeats away from home saw the tean finish 4th in the league.

But the Gunners had the chance to end the season on a high, after a dramatic victory over Hull City, Arsenal won the FA Cup and ended their 9 year trophy drought.

Özil finished his first season in England with 9 assists and 5 goals in 26 League appearances, 13 assists and 9 goals across all competitions and winning his first trophy at the club.

"You could see from the start that he is one of the best players in Europe." Mertesacker.

Özil was once again called up to the National team for the World Cup.

"Of course we want to win it, a third place or playing good is no longer enough for us."

He played a key role featuring in all 7 matches. They finally won the tournament and were crowned as World Champions.

After the game UEFA President Michel Platini asked Özil for his shirt.

"I don't take the shirt from many players, but I'd love to have yours. It would be an honour."

Özil donated his World Cup victory bonus to pay 23 Brazilian children's life changing surgerys.

He concluded the tournament first in final third passes completed (171), second in chances created (17) and second in possessions won in the final third (6).

"Özil is for me Germany's best player, he is first class, very creative." Lionel Messi.

Özil returned to club training for the 14/15 season mid August after his participation in the World Cup. He made his first appearance of the season against Everton in a 2-2 draw.

On October, it was reported that Özil would be out for 10/12 weeks with a left knee injury.

But Özil came back even stronger and made 7 goal contributions in his first 6 games post injury, providing 5 assists and scoring 2 goals.

In the FA Cup semifinal against Reading Özil made 2 assists for Alexis Sánchez in a 2-1 win and led his team to an other final.

Özil started in the 14/15 FA Cup Final as Arsenal beat Aston Villa in a commanding 4-0 victory.

Concluding his 2nd season with the club with 5 goals and 9 assists in 33 appearances, and back to back FA Cups.

"We are on the right way with the team, we want to win everything."

After scoring during a pre-season game against Lyon, Özil received praise from his manager, with Wenger calling for him to have his best season yet in Arsenal colours.

Özil started the 15/16 season on fire, he got some MOTM awards and started creating chances for fun.

Wenger’s side success was largely down to Özil, who made 16 assists in the first 19 PL games of the season. It was a matter of time for him to break Henry's record.

"The guy is just amazing, It's his vision, he always puts the ball where you need it. He sees everything." Henry.

But due to his teammates's lack of efficiency in front of goal, Özil finished the PL season with 19 assists, just 1 behind the record.

Arsenal were close to winning the league but unfortunately finished 2nd, 10 points behind champions Leicester.

But Özil still broke some records and registered incredible numbers. 0.63 assists per 90 minutes. 146 chances created, most in a PL season. 7 consecutive games with an assist, most in PL history. Most assists in a calendar year (20). 4.2 key passes per game, most in a PL season.

Özil was Germany's most dangerous player in the Euro 2016, he completed 91 percent of his 420 passes and created 48 chances in just 6 games.

Arsenal's playmaker helped the World Champions reach the semifinals scorring 1 goal and 1 assist before they were eliminated by France.

While playing every minute of every game for Joachim Low's side, Özil was voted as Germany's best player of the competition.

Becoming the only german player to score in all of the last 4 major tournaments (WC 2010 and 2014, Euro 2012 and 2016).

Özil missed Arsenal's opening for the 16/17 season due to his participation in the Euro 2016.

In november he scored the best goal in his career and one of the best in the CL.

An outstanding individual effort, a perfectly timed run, a genius touch and coldness in front of goal.

In may, against Sunderland, Özil created 12 chances for his teammates, more chances than any other player has ever created in a Premier League game since records began.

I will go as far as saying, he has now surpassed me." Dennis Bergkamp.

After a disappointing season which saw the club missing out of Champions League qualification for the first time in more than 20 years, Arsenal still had the chance to beat Chelsea and lift the FA Cup trophy.

Arsenal’s deserved victory over PL champions to win the FA Cup was something not many people saw coming. The German playmaker helped his side to a 2-1 victory with a MOTM performance.

Özil concluded his 4th season at the club with 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 matches.

Özil entered the 17/18 season in the final year of his contract. With speculation about a possible exit, with Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United all interested.

He finished 2017 with the most chances created of any player in Europe's top 5 leagues.

In February Özil finally signed the contract, ending speculation about a possible departure. Özil's new contract, until the summer of 2021, saw him earn £350k a week, making him the highest paid player at the club.

"In the end I let my heart decide."

On March, he recorded his 50th PL assist in a 3-0 win over Watford, while doing so, he became the fastest player to reach that figure in the competition, just 141 games.

He ended the season with 5 goals and 14 assists in a poor Arsenal season that saw the team finish 6th.

At the end of the season Wenger stepped down as Arsenal's manager after 22 years.

Özil played 196 matches under him, 16.583 minutes, netting 37 goals and 71 assists, 0.59 goal contributions x 90'.

“If you are not excited about watching Özil, you don’t love football." Wenger.

Germany were drawn in the Group F of the 2018 World Cup. The group consisted of Mexico, Sweden, South Korea and Germany. The germans finished bottom of the group as they could only win one game.

Özil was Germany's most criticized player, but, was it justified?

Özil created 5.5 chances per 90 minutes, more than any other player at the World Cup. He also created 7 chances against South Korea, no player created more in a game.

"I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose."

Özil was turned into a scapegoat by not only the media but by people inside his own football association.

So retired from international football because of racial abused and discrimination.

"I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't."

Unai Emery was appointed as Arsenal's new manager for the 18/19 season. Özil was given the number 10 shirt and was named between the 5 club captains.

He was also given additional time off at the start of the season, after being the victim of a robbery with teammate Kolasinac.

Özil was in his car with his teammate and their wives, when they were victims of an attack by a gang of assailants that were armed with knives.

Kolasinac jumped into a knife fight with his bare hands to defend his friend, and the two assailants run away.

In October against Leicester he captained the side for the first time and produced an absolute masterclass, one of the best attacking midfielder performances the PL has ever seen.

Özil helped his team record a 10th successive win, scoring a goal and assisting one in a 3-1 win.

Özil was then publicly left out of the first team squad on a few occasions, having a fractured relationship with head coach Unai Emery.

As a result, he registered one of his worst statistical campaigns as an Arsenal player, netting 6 goals and providing only 3 assists.

Mid 19/20 season Unai Emery was sacked after the club's worst run in results since 1992 and everything changed for some time.

Mikel Arteta was appointed as Arsenal's new head couch, Özil started playing regularly again and Arsenal started winning football matches.

But after the COVID-19 pandemic he didn't feature in any of Arsenal games. As a result, Özil registered his worst statistical season, as well of making the lowest number of appearances since the 07/08 season.

Arteta said Özil's omission was due to footballing reasons.

Arteta's footballing reasons speech doesn't make sense as Özil was playing week and week out before the pandemic and in a good level.

It's thought Özil's omission is related to his criticism of the treatment of Muslims in China, from which Arsenal publicly distanced themselves.

Although Özil didn't feature in most of the games of the 19/20 FA Cup, after Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea in the final, he became Arsenal's most decorated player of the Emirates era.

The following season Özil was left out from Arsenal's 25 man Premier League squad for the 20/21 season and wasn't included in the club's squad for the Europa League group stage.

"As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays." Özil after his squad omission.

This was Özil's last assist for Arsenal. A match winner assist against West Ham. A cleaver header that ended with Lacazette's goal. His last apereance for the club as well.

Assisted in his first 11' as an Arsenal player, assisted in his last 11' in an Arsenal shirt. Legend.

Mesut Özil Arsenal career stats:

254 appearances
20.185 minutes played
44 goals
77 assists
0.52 G/A x 90'

4 x FA Cups
4 x Community Shields

"It’s not always been easy, but it has always been special!" Özil on his time at Arsenal.

Mesut Özil career stats so far:

692 appearances
53.928 minutes played
128 goals
256 assists
0.64 G/A x 90'

1 x DFB-Pokal
1 x DFL Super Cup

1 x La Liga
1 x Copa del Rey
1 x Spanish Super Cup

4 x FA Cup
4 x Community Shield

1 x World Cup

Özil has been top assist provider in:

• Bundesliga
• La Liga
• Premier League
• Europa League
• Champions League
• European Championship
• World Cup

Assist king

Özil will be leaving Arsenal soon, looking for a new chapter in his career. It's understand that he'll be joining Fenerbahce in the next days, best of luck in the future Mesut

People easily forget how good this guy has been. It wasn't supposed to end like this