Oh Mesut. Mesut, Mesut, Mesut.
As if your performance (or complete lack of one) in the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night wasn’t already bad enough, we then come to learn that you’d already put the kiss of death on things for you and your team before a ball had even been kicked.
As pointed out by former Premier League great Jan Aage Fjortoft (yes we did just describe him as a great), Özil had given an interview in his native Germany ahead of the Champions League last 16 knockout tie against Bayern Munich. As the image that accompanies Fjortoft’s tweet reveals, its standout line shows how the former Real Madrid star felt that Bayern weren’t as strong as they once were.
Özil BEFORE the game: – I don't think Bayern are so strong anymore pic.twitter.com/K10mwHrd1g
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🇳🇴 (@JanAageFjortoft) February 16, 2017
Still, it could be said that at half-time, Bayern had done little to show Özil was wrong. After Arjen Robben’s opener, Alexis Sanchez had equalised after botching a penalty and the initial rebound. But after the break, Bayern roared back – making the most of an Arsenal defence that looked utterly helpless without Laurent Koscielny.
After a couple of quick goals from Robert Lewandowski and Thiago Alcantara, it was a toothless display from Arsenal’s more creative players who never looked like clawing their team back into the tie with a second away goal.
5-1 it finished, ending all hope of a Champions League quarter final for Arsene Wenger’s men.
From Özil’s point of view, there wasn’t much on offer to suggest he was worthy of the improved contract he’s reportedly been discussing for most of the season.
