Arsenal all over again - What has happened to Ozil's career revival at Fenerbahce?

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 12 Nov 2021 12:37 GMT
• 6 min read

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.

His time at the Emirates wasn't all bad, of course. At the top of his game, Ozil was an assist machine and represented a truly world-class acquisition for the Gunners when they signed him from Real Madrid in 2013.

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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 was doing the Gunners no good and was clearly surplus to requirements.

Having cut a frustrated figure over the previous year, Ozil finally looked happy again as he signed for his beloved Fenerbahce.

Speaking in January, he said: "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 worked out, despite a wild reception when he signed.

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 just four of those have been 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.