Former Gunner Mesut Ozil has announced his retirement from professional football aged 34.
A three-time FA Cup winner in our colours, the German playmaker has decided to hang up his boots after leaving Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir, calling time on a glittering career which saw him make nearly 700 appearances for club and country.
Mesut became our record signing when he joined us in 2013 from Real Madrid, having previously represented Schalke and Werder Bremen before arriving at the Bernabeu Stadium where he lifted a La Liga title.
He ended his first season in north London by clinching his first FA Cup winners medal thanks to our comeback win over Hull City, while two more followed in the next three seasons. He was a part of the side that won the Community Shield in 2015 and reached the finals of the League Cup in 2017/18 and 2018/19 Europa League.
The recipient of our Player of the Season award in 2015/16, Mesut made over 250 appearances in all competitions for us, scoring 44 goals and laying on 71 assists before heading to Fenerbache in January 2021.
He also lifted the World Cup as a Gunner in 2014 in Brazil, ending his international career with 23 goals in 92 caps for his country over a nine-year spell, which saw him named Germany’s Footballer of the Year on five occasions.
Everyone at the club wishes Mesut the best in his retirement.
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