{"id":578328,"date":"2021-01-12T02:00:22","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T07:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=578328"},"modified":"2026-01-30T16:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:30:09","slug":"mesut-ozil-a-modern-icon-of-the-emirates-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/12\/mesut-ozil-a-modern-icon-of-the-emirates-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Mesut \u00d6zil: A Modern Icon of the Emirates Era"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since joining Arsenal <\/a>in September 2013, Mesut \u00d6zil<\/a> has staked his claim as one of, if not the very best, players of the Emirates era. Despite having been met with criticism from some quarters in the media on work rate and big-match influence, history will likely side with \u00d6zil when the dust settles.<\/p>\n

Mesut \u00d6zil has set records, has created magical moments against many of Arsenal’s fiercest rivals and, most importantly of all, has done it all in an inimitable style. Whilst the conclusion of his Arsenal career will seemingly be a less happy affair, it should not be undersold quite how good a player Arsenal have had on their hands over the last eight years.<\/p>\n

Mesut \u00d6zil: A Legacy That Will Grow Over Time<\/h2>\n

Record Setter – A Tough Feat to Match<\/h3>\n

When the dust settles, the record book often makes clear what sort of legacy a player has left behind. In this respect, Mesut \u00d6zil has most certainly made his mark.<\/p>\n

Two records are most notable –<\/a> the most chances created over a Premier League season and the most chances created in a single Premier League match.<\/p>\n

In respect to the former, \u00d6zil generated a whopping 146 chances over the 2015\/16 season. For some perspective, Kevin De Bruyne<\/a> in his assist record-equalling 2019\/20 season created 136 chances, ten fewer.<\/p>\n

The latter came in a 2016\/17 encounter against Sunderland<\/a> where \u00d6zil created 12 chances over the 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

It would not be unfair or unrealistic to suggest that these records may last some time. If De Bruyne in a season as prolific as 2019\/20 could not break either, it would suggest that it would take something truly remarkable to push the record higher.<\/p>\n

\u00d6zil’s numbers will likely stand the test of time, he has set Premier League records which will not easily be broken.<\/p>\n

Magic Moments – Mesut \u00d6zil has Left a Wide Array of Unforgettable Performances<\/h3>\n

A criticism often angled at \u00d6zil is that too often his best moments are reserved for less than elite opposition. Such a claim is repeated with such confidence that it would almost be easy to believe it, this would be a mistake.<\/p>\n

Over his tenure at Arsenal, \u00d6zil registered a goal or assist against Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool.<\/a><\/p>\n

This is not to say that \u00d6zil’s record sums up to a meagre one contribution against each of these clubs over eight years. \u00d6zil won several Man of the Match awards across the Arsene Wenger years against these clubs too and even did against Manchester United last season. The irony is that often his finest performances were the ones without a goal or assists, such as his features at The Emirates against Chelsea<\/a> or Manchester United<\/a> in the 2017\/18 season.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, it should not be downplayed the context of many of these performances. \u00d6zil sent The Emirates into carnage when he scored the third against Liverpool<\/a> in the 2017\/18 season, sparked title dreams with his goal against Manchester United in the 2015\/16 season, and put the final nail in the coffin with his goal against Chelsea in 2016\/17.<\/p>\n

On this topic, it cannot go unmentioned the calibre of some of \u00d6zil’s goals and assists. His mazy run away to Ludogorets<\/a> will go down as one of the most technically impressive goals of modern times, and his perfectly cushioned volley against Newcastle United<\/a> should be no less revered.<\/p>\n