Arsenal hero revealed Mesut Ozil would ‘always’ do one thing that made him Arsene Wenger’s ‘teacher’s pet’

Add as preferred source on Google

Mesut Ozil enjoyed some memorable times at Arsenal following his shock transfer from Real Madrid in 2013.

The footballing world was stunned when Ozil completed a deadline-day move from Real Madrid to the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger knew that he’d signed a top-quality playmaker, acquiring the former Germany international for £42m – a bargain fee in today’s climate.

Ozil looks back on his time at Arsenal fondly despite things ending far from desired, being a player frozen out by Mikel Arteta.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s most iconic deadline day deals include star who Thierry Henry would’ve ‘loved to play with’

Aaron Ramsey’s revelation about Mesut Ozil 

The attacking midfielder certainly split opinion in North London due to his inconsistency but, on his day his quality was impossible to deny.

Now retired, Ozil has completely transformed from the sometimes weak playmaker he was in the Premier League, turning such narrative around with his work in the gym.

It’s been years since the World Cup winner represented the Gunners, with his career at the Emirates sadly fizzing out due to complications between himself and those that followed Wenger’s reign.

Ozil didn’t perform under either Unai Emery or Arteta the way he did under Wenger, with Aaron Ramsey once revealing why that might have been. 

In an interview with Soccer AM in 2016, Ramsey dubbed Ozil a ‘teacher’s pet’, lifting the lid on the former midfielder’s relationship with the ex-manager.

“Probably Mesut,” Ramsey responded when asked who the teacher’s pet in the squad was.

“He has a few extra days off than the rest of us. He’s always in the boss’ room asking for something but he seems to get it.”

Ozil was one of Wenger’s favourites, not only for his quality on the pitch it seems, as the former manager and his star creator remained close throughout their time at Arsenal together.

Ozil’s career after leaving Arsenal 

After Arteta axed Ozil from the Arsenal squad, the midfielder’s career went downhill rapidly, seeing him retire only two years after leaving the Emirates. 

The former Real Madrid star joined Fenerbahce in January 2021, where he scored nine goals during his year-and-a-half stay before moving on to Basaksehir. 

Seven appearances and eight months at Basaksehir was enough for Ozil to call time on his playing career, retiring in March 2023.

Ozil remains close to the game and has kept a close eye on Arsenal, where he found a place to call home thanks to Wenger’s trust.