Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has done a great job since taking the reins at the Emirates Stadium.

When the Gunners appointed the Spaniard in December 2019, the club was sitting 10th in the Premier League table.

Arsenal have improved season on season, and have been in Premier League title battles over the past two years.

Arteta has made some ruthless and sometimes controversial decisions while managing the Gunners.

And while it would seem like they’ve all been worth it in the end, some continue to be debated.

For instance, Mikel Arteta left Mesut Ozil out of his Premier League and Europa League squads for the 2020-21 season, freezing him out of contention at N5.

And in January 2021, six months before Ozil’s contract was up, the Gunners mutually agreed to cancel his deal and join Fenerbahce on a free transfer.

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As per ESPN, Arsenal apparently agreed to pay up the majority of the £7million owed over the remainder of his contract.

Although Ozil’s time at the Emirates Stadium ended on a sour note, there’s no doubting his impact when he was in his prime in red and white.

Indeed, Ozil continues to be rated incredibly highly by many fans and also peers, such as Santi Cazorla.

How has Arsenal cult hero Santi Cazorla praised Mesut Ozil?

The Guardian’s Sid Lowe revealed on X that Cazorla named his former Arsenal teammate in his dream five-a-side team.

Cazorla went with Ozil, Xavi, David Silva, Juan Roman Riquelme and Andres Iniesta. An all-midfield team that will probably keep the ball all game.

As per GiveMeSport, Ozil once named Cazorla in his dream team made up of the greatest players he’s ever played with.

Now, Cazorla has returned the favour. And Arsenal fans will no doubt remember just how elegant and creative they both were in the heart of the Gunners midfield for years.