Legendary manager Arsene Wenger previously admitted he had to make compromises during his time working with Mesut Ozil at Arsenal.
Former German international Ozil announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday after leaving İstanbul Başakşehir earlier this year. The attacker previously spent eight years at Arsenal, at the time becoming the Gunners' record signing.
Though he won three FA Cups during his time at the Emirates Stadium, he failed to live up to the heights expected on him. After leaving in the January of 2021 on a free transfer, he finished his career with spells at Fenerbahce and Basaksehir.
Wenger was the man to bring Ozil to Arsenal back in the January transfer window of 2013, working with him for five years. Following his own exit from his job as manager, Wenger defended Ozil but admitted compromises had to be made to get the best out of him.
"He was not difficult to manage. He was a guy who had a special quality as a creative player and needed to have fun. He is an artist and these guys are a bit more sensitive," Wenger told ESPN's Caught Offside podcast in December 2020.
"They need support and an environment that pushes them to give their best. You have two ways to see a football team. You get everybody to do the same - the same intensity of work, the same defensive work - or you find a compromise.
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"You have a more creative player in the team who can do less defensive work but you build a team around him who can compensate for these deficiencies. That is what you have to think about."
Ozil announced his retirement with a message on social media, thanking his previous clubs for their support. And he admitted that he is looking forward to stepping back from the full-on life of a professional footballer.
"After thoughtful consideration, I'm announcing my immediate retirement from professional football. I've had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity," he said.
"But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it's become more and more clear that it's time to leave the big stage of football. It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions.
"I want to thank my clubs - Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal FC, Fenerbahce, Basaksehir and the coaches who supported me, plus team-mates who have become friends.
"Special thanks must go to my family members and my closest friends. They have been a part of my journey from day one and have given me so much love and support, through the good times and the bad.
"Thank you to all my fans who have shown me so much love no matter the circumstances and no matter which club I was representing. Now I'm looking forward to everything that is in front of me with my beautiful wife, Amine, and my two beautiful daughters, Eda and Ela."
