Mesut Ozils time at Arsenal appears to finally be over after being frozen out by the last two Gunners managers – but can he be considered a club legend?
The World Cup winner was omitted from Mikel Artetas Premier League and Europa League squads at the start of the season.
In seven years, we only got the best of Ozil for a short while
The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer but he looks set to leave in January with Fenerbahce seemingly the most likely destination.
He joined in 2013 in a £42.5million move from Real Madrid and at times was brilliant for the Gunners.
For a time, he was the king of the assists in the Premier League, delivering 19 in the 2015/16 season.
He won two FA Cups under Arsene Wenger and helped the team reach the final of the League Cup and Europa League.
Although his time at Arsenal has been soured by the recent breakdown in relationship, there is an argument to be made that he is the best player for the club in the Emirates era.
That was the question posed by talkSPORT host Adrian Durham on Wednesdays Drivetime.
Durham said: Theres no doubt that hes talented and I think hes been a little bit unlucky and I do feel a bit sorry for him.
I am genuinely emotional about this because I expected a lot more.
Ozil won two FA Cups while Arsene Wenger was manager
When he signed in 2013 I expected a lot more. It was the same summer [Gareth] Bale left to go to Real Madrid and Arsenal thought well Spurs have lost their best player and were getting one of the best players in the world and theres only one thing thats going to happen from here. Were on the way up and theyre on the way down. It didnt quite work out like that.
Wenger was finished and went on far too long at Arsenal. Unai Emery didnt really have a clue. This is a guy who didnt even win the title with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arteta basically gave up on Mesut Ozil. Hes not had support from managers who were good enough to get the best out of him.
However, what I find amazing, having a proper look on social media Ive found genuine Arsenal fans who talk properly about football. Its not like AFTV and all that nonsense, its proper football talk and they are calling him a legend.
Mesut Ozil – they are referring to him as an Arsenal legend. Theres loads of them talking about Mesut Ozil as an Arsenal legend.
In the Emirates era has there been a more talented player loved by the fans? Does he deserve recognition in the form of a statue or is that going too far?
Arsenal legend candidates?
Theo Walcott – 398 games, 108 goals, 78 assists
Aaron Ramsey – 371 games, 65 goals, 65 assists
Cesc Fabregas – 304 games, 57 goals, 92 assists
Robin van Persie – 278 games, 132 goals, 55 assists
Mesut Ozil – 254 games, 44 goals, 77 assists
If you look at the best players in the Emirates era, Id throw Theo Walcott into the mix, Robin van Persie, but the fans dont like him, Cesc Fabregas but the Arsenal fans dont like him.
Aaron Ramsey is more of a cult figure than a legend but in terms of the most talented players at the football club that the fans like Wilshere possibly but do they match up to Mesut Ozil?
Is he the best in the Emirates era? Does he deserve a statue?
Darren Gough added: Id rather see a statue for Ray Parlour.
Five statues adorn the outside of the Emirates Stadium in north London to commemorate some of the greatest figures at the club in their history.
They include Invincibles Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, plus Herbert Chapman and Ken Friar.
Will Ozil be next? Somehow we doubt it…
Arsenal fans were distraught when Van Persie left for United
Darren Gough said he’d rather see a statue of Ray Parlour at the Emirates