Deadline-day move to north London
Back in 2013, Arsenal had failed to lift any trophies for eight years, and fans feared we would slide into mediocrity after years of fighting for the EPL trophy.
The club needed a marquee signing to prove they are still relevant and are serious about competing for major honours. And, after weeks of negotiations and anxious wait, £42.5m were sent from Arsenal to Real Madrid, while Mesut Ozil went in the opposite direction.
This transfer proved Arsenal still had the pull power needed to attract world-class talent and were still among Europe's big boys.
Ozil's move to the Emirates was a highlight in itself as we anticipated that things would get better at Arsenal. We were proven wrong but seeing a star like Mesut choosing to become a Gunner brought a lot of joy to us at that time.
Display against Napoli
Back in the 2013-14 Champions League, Arsenal faced Napoli in the group stage. It has been said Ozil does not turn up on big occasions, but a Matchday 2 clash against the Italians was undoubtedly a huge game, and Mesut bossed the midfield and fired the Gunners to a 2-0 victory.
Early in the game, he scored his debut goal for Arsenal with a brilliant left-footed finish into the near corner.
He then provided an assist to Giroud, going to the byline and dribbling past several Napoli defenders.
Ludogorets wonder goal
Most of Ozil's best moments at Arsenal are mostly about his overall display—pulling the strings in the midfield over the course of 90 minutes. But if there is a single moment from Mesut which makes you stare at the screen in disbelief while your jaw has already dropped to the floor, it's this one.
Back in 2016, Arsenal managed to come back from 2-0 down to get three points away at Ludogorets in the Champions League. And it was Mesut Ozil who brought the victory to the Gunners with a stunning individual strike.
Mohamed Elneny played an overhead pass to Mesut, putting him one-on-one with the goalie. Ozil chipped him first, then dribbled past two Ludogorets defenders and put the ball into the net.
'Arsenal are walking in winter wonderland'
One of the Gunners' best comebacks happened in December 2017. Arsenal were trailing 2-0 to Liverpool at home but Sanchez, Xhaka and then Ozil scored three in just five minutes, turning things around.
The game will be remembered by Martin Tyler's commentary after Mesut scored: "Arsenal are walking in a winter wonderland! What a turnaroud!"
In the end, Liverpool equalised so we had to settle for a draw but Ozil's goal, preceded by an amazing one-two with Lacazette and Alexandre's backheel pass, remains one of the most beautiful strikes in the history of the Premier League.
(move the slider to 1:30 if you want to skip Liverpool's goals):
2017 FA Cup final
Antonio Conte's Chelsea looked to complete a domestic double after winning the Premier League but Arsenal and particularly Mesut Ozil had other ideas.
Unlucky not to score and unlucky not to provide an assist, Ozil ran the midfield show and was a commanding presence in his own half, working his socks off to help the Gunners seal the win.
His sliding challenge on Hazard was among the highlights of the game and he was his usual creative best in the opposition final third.
While Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey were the men who brought victory to the Gunners with their goals, Ozil's contribution cannot be underestimated.
Watch the extended highlights below:
2018 Leicester game
In perhaps one of the best team performances of the Unai Emery era, Arsenal dismantled Leicester City 3-1, and Mesut Ozil produced one of the best midfield displays in the competition's history.
The German captained the side that night, and his involvement was crucial as Arsenal came back from one goal behind to grab all three points in a spectacular fashion.
Mesut put Arsenal level with a perfectly-timed finish leaving the goalkeeper rooted to his spot. He then played a delicious through ball to Bellerin, who then spoon-fed Aubameyang with an inch-perfect pass.
Ozil then flicked the ball to Guendouzi, starting the Gunners' attack. He played an amazing ball to Auba who swept it home, bringing an amazing comeback win to Arsenal.
Saving Gunnersaurus from extinction
Whether Ozil is an Arsenal legend is debatable, but he saved another club legend, the Gunnersaurus.
The mascot was sacked by the club in a move slammed by everyone including Arsene Wenger, and Mesut offered to pay for his wages so the dinosaur could continue doing "the job that he loves".
As it turned out, the playmaker's effort could not help Jerry Guy, the man in the suit, keep his job as it would be shared between different people now.
But it's not Ozil's fault—in the ugly situation with the Gunnersaurus, Mesut acted with class and made us appreciate him even more.
What is your best Ozil moment?
