Arsenal’s star winger Bukayo Saka has paid a surprisingly glowing tribute to his former teammate Mesut Ozil, naming the German playmaker the best player he has ever played with.
The support from the 24-year-old, who shared the pitch with the likes of England players Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Phil Foden, underlines the retired midfielder’s unique and undeniable genius.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5, Saka was asked who was the best player he had ever played with.
The Arsenal winger replied: “Probably Mesut Ozil. He’s a quality player, I really enjoyed it. It’s hard to describe in words. It’s fun to play with him, it’s fun to watch him.”
That sentiment perfectly captures the admiration many young Gunners have for a midfielder with rare vision and creativity rarely seen on the Premier League stage.
Saka played 17 games alongside Mesut Ozil in the early stages of his senior career, clearly leaving an impression of pure, effortless quality.
Mesut Ozil’s time at Arsenal
Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 and has become synonymous with elite-level playmaking.
Despite his time in North London coming to an eventful end, his prime years provided Arsenal fans with unforgettable moments of footballing artistry.
During his tenure, Ozil played 254 games for the club, scoring 44 goals and providing 77 assists.
| player | Appearance | the goal | assist | competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mesut ozil | 254 | 44 | 77 | all competitions |
The highlight of his outstanding performance came in the 2015/16 Premier League season, when he provided an astonishing 19 assists, second in the league behind Thierry Henry, and established himself as one of the best creative forces in Europe at the time.
He also helped the club win four FA Cup titles, breaking their infamous nine-year trophy drought.
Ozil’s political views and the end of his Arsenal career
While Mesut Ozil’s quality on the pitch was never in question, his career at Arsenal was ultimately affected by controversy off the field.
The German midfielder publicly criticized China’s human rights policies in 2018.
The situation further escalated in December 2019 when he posted a controversial statement on social media opposing the alleged persecution of Uyghur Muslims in China.
Arsenal quickly distanced themselves from the comments, saying they were “Ozil’s personal opinions” and that the club “always upholds the principle of not getting involved in politics.”
Given the Premier League and the club’s significant commercial interests in China, the comment sparked an immediate and intense backlash, including the cancellation of the club’s matches on Chinese state television.
The high-earning star’s subsequent exclusion from both the Premier League and Europa League squads culminated in his departure to Fenerbahce in January 2021.
What is Mesut Ozil doing now?
Since retiring from professional football in March 2023 after his final spell with Istanbul Basaksehir, Mesut Ozil has moved on to a new chapter, primarily focused on Turkish politics and several business ventures.
Ozil, who is of Turkish descent, will officially enter Turkish politics and join the central council of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2025.
The move follows a long-established close relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Beyond politics, the former Germany international pursues a number of business interests.
He remains involved with the esports team he founded in 2018. Ozil also acquired a stake in Mexican soccer club Club Necaxa.
Even after his retirement, Ozil has continued to work on his body, spending time in the gym to build a more muscular physique, a marked difference from his playing days.
