Mesut Ozil’s disastrous 18 months since leaving Arsenal
Cameron Smith
- 12 Jul 2022 10:43 BST
- 3 min read
Mesut Ozil's career has hit an all-time low following news his contract at Turkish giants Fenerbahce has been terminated ahead of the new Super Lig season.
The former Germany international has been frozen out at Fenerbahce since March after a row over his fitness with interim head coach Ismail Kartal. Despite Jorge Jesus' appointment, Ozil wasn't able to work his way back into the side and he has now become a free agent.
His Fenerbahce contract was set to expire in 2024, but reports from Turkey say that Ozil's contract has been terminated by the club, although it's believed the decision has been made mutually.
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Even so, it represents the downwards spiral Ozil has suffered over the past few years. The end to his spell at Arsenal wasn't pretty, with the German left out of the starting XI consistently, despite being the club's best-paid player.
Mikel Arteta wasn't afraid to leave the German out of multiple matchday squads, and thus his days at Arsenal felt numbered.
He left the Gunners in January 2021 to join Fenerbahce, but his fortunes didn't improve in Turkey.
Ozil at Fenerbahce
Across an 18-month spell, Ozil played just 36 times for Fenerbahce, scoring nine goals and assisting a further three.
Upon arrival, Ozil played just 10 times before the end of the campaign due to injury problems, which also saw him miss two months at the start of 2022.
His start to the 2021/22 season was actually very encouraging, but yet again problems with his attitude and fitness caused his downturn. After 10 goal contributions in 22 league games, Ozil was then left out of the squad and he was forced to train alone after being exiled from the team following his row with Kartal.
Ozil also unfollowed Fenerbahce's social media accounts and his contract termination comes as little surprise given the events that transpired towards the end of his time at the club. Furthermore, it was even reported by AS in September 2021 that Ozil was unhappy at the club and was looking at options elsewhere.
However, while Ozil has left Fenerbahce, he may actually stay in Turkey and continue playing in the Super Lig. That's because reports suggest that he is in talks with Medipol Basaksehir over a possible deal this summer.
