Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil is struggling to have the impact many expected at Fenerbahce


It’s been just over a month since Mesut Ozil left Arsenal to join Turkish club Fenerbahce.

Ozil was a popular player at Arsenal after spending just over seven years in north London, during which time he racked up 254 appearances and scored 44 goals. Yet, in the latter stages of his time with the club, things turned sour and he was frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta.

In fact, his last appearance for the team came back in March of last year.

After several weeks of negotiations throughout January, a free-transfer was finally agreed and he completed his move, much to the overall satisfaction of all parties involved.

However, the 32-year-old hasn’t quite had the impact neither he or his new club would have hoped for.

So far, the former German international has made five appearances for the Turkish giants – two of which came off the bench.

And within his 322 minutes on the pitch, he’s still yet to register a single goal or assist. He’s also attempted just four shots on goal, and none of these efforts were of any great quality. This point is captured by the fact that his shots accumulated a combined xG of just 0.12, and only one managed to hit the target.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – FEBRUARY 21: Mesut Özil (67) of Fenerbahce gestures after his team lost the Turkish Super Lig match between Fenerbahce and Goztepe in Istanbul, Turkey on February 21, 2021. (Photo by Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Obviously as an attacking-midfielder, Ozil’s role is just as much about creating goals, rather than scoring them. But he’s made just three passes that have led to a shot on goal and eight passes into the penalty area. Furthermore, he’s yet to make a single successful dribble.

It’s clearly still early days into his new career with Fenerbahce meaning any conclusions made would be premature.

However, some Arsenal fans may have expected the midfielder to have a bigger impact at the Turkish club, particularly given that the Turkish Super Lig is considered far inferior when compared to the Premier League.

Those associated with Fernerbache will be hoping he can rediscover his best form soon given that they’re currently battling with Galatasaray and Besiktas for top spot but find themselves three points behind the league leaders, albeit with a game in hand.





Source link