'Unhappy' Ozil called out by Fenerbahce chief and told to 'focus on football'

Arsenal ripped up the 33-year-old's contract in January after nine months without a single appearance - and things haven't exactly improved for Ozil at his boyhood club.

After being hampered by an ankle injury during the second half of last season, the former Germany international was restricted to just 10 appearances and waited months for his first goal contribution.

Fener coach Vitor Pereira gave Ozil the armband for the 2021/22 campaign, but the playmaker has since fallen out of favour, failing to start a single match in October.

Ozil has been visibly frustrated on the touchline, appearing to throw a bib at Pereira when he was left on the bench at Kasimpasa, and kicking bottles following his substitution against Antwerp.

Club president Ali Koc, who was instrumental in luring Ozil back to his native Turkey, has now issued a public statement criticising the forward and urging him to turn things around.

"Since the start of this season, Mesut Ozil has been compared to Robin van Persie," Koc told Fenerbahce TV.

"Ozil wants to play more. From now on, he needs to focus on his game and keep his commercial interests out of it. He needs to think about contributing to Fenerbahce."

Meanwhile, Koc also insisted on Pereira finding a way to accommodate Ozil in the team.

He added: "Our coach also needs to try to figure out how to get the most out of Ozil. There is not a problem, despite what the media says. Mesut is unhappy because he does not play regularly."