In January of 2021, Mesut Ozil's nightmare at Arsenal finally came to an end as he was granted an early release from his contract to sign for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
It wasn't always a nightmare at the Emirates, of course, as Ozil was an assist machine when at the top of his game, and represented a truly world class acquisition for the Gunners at the time.
However, by the time he left, he had not featured under Mikel Arteta for 10 months, and was left out of the Premier League squad completely for the 2020/21 campaign.
Various conspiracy theories developed as to why, but no matter which you believe, Ozil would eventually leave anyway.
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Having cut a frustrated figure over the last year, Ozil finally looked happy again as he signed for his beloved Fenerbahce, saying in January:
"I am a Fenerbahce fan. That is why I am very happy to be coming to Turkey with Fenerbahce.
"I'm very excited. God gave me the chance to wear this jersey as a Fenerbahce fan. God willing, I will carry it with honour and do everything I can for the team."
Unfortunately for the German, things haven't quite worked out yet, despite the awesome fanfare he received, as he was treated like another coup signing for Fenerbahce in the mould of Robin van Persie.
Ozil's struggles at Fenerbahce
Injuries and a positive Covid test interrupted his first six months at the club, but he would make 11 appearances in total, eight of them starts.
In those games, he would record just a single assist, while he failed to score.
The 2021/22 campaign presented the opportunity for a fresh start, but again Ozil has struggled and has been in and out of the team.
He has made 13 appearances but made just four starts in the league. From nine overall appearances in the Super Lig he has scored three goals and recorded one assist.
Crucially, Ozil does not appear to have a healthy relationship with current head coach Vitor Pereira.
At the start of October, he threw his substitute's bib at Pereira after failing to be brought on against Kasimpasa, while he kicked water bottles over after being taken off in a Europa League draw against Antwerp.
Club president Ali Koc is apparently siding with Pereira, too, as he has recently told Ozil to focus more on his football.
"Since the start of this season, Mesut Ozil has been compared to Robin van Persie (in terms of his status at Fenerbahce)," he told Fenerbahce TV.
"Ozil wants to play more. From now on, he needs to focus on his game and keep his commercial interests out of it. He needs to think about contributing to Fenerbahce.
"Our coach also needs to try to figure out how to get the most out of Ozil. There is not a problem, despite what the media says. Mesut is unhappy because he does not play regularly."
Whether it be due to a lack of form or again falling out with management, Ozil's Fenerbahce career is at risk of falling apart just like his Arsenal career.
SawHotz
23
Arsenal all over again? What does Arsenal have to do with the fact that he's having attitude issues in Fenerbahce and not even been half of what people expected from him? Stop bringing Arsenal into this, we've already moved on from Özil
crmusm
20
this man was something else
limckorsy
14
Arteta finished Ozil,even currently now they have not gotten Ozil replacement despite rowe form he can never do half of Ozil,the fault is not Ozil,at first Ozil told arsenal bored not to see Alexis Sanchez but they allowed Sanchez leave that was why Ozil was angry and wanted to follow Sanchez because both of them played like a real team,work hand to hand, Arsenal could have let Ozil leave that time but them made mistake and hammer him with a big contract,making him the second highest paid in premiere league,that was the down fall of ozill,they were begging him the cut his wages lately when Arteta that doesn't like him came and start benching him,how can you beg a player you keep for bench for many months to cut his wages, Arsenal finished Ozil