FORMER Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has suffered a nightmare start at new club Basaksehir.
He was on the receiving end of a 7-1 thumping in his first appearance for their reserve team.
Ozil, 33, joined the Turkish side in July after an 18-month spell with rivals Fenerbahce.
The ex-Germany international had his contract torn up despite scoring nine goals in 37 appearances after a move from Arsenal in January 2021.
And Ozil is now hoping to rebuild his career at Basaksehir, who finished fourth in last season’s Super Lig – eight points off second-place Fenerbahce.
In a bid to get his match fitness up, Basaksehir selected Ozil for Wednesday’s reserve team clash against visitors Kasimpasa.
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But things did not go to plan for the hosts as they suffered a horrific 7-1 defeat.
Ozil played the first 45 minutes of the match, which Kasimpasa won 1-0.
And he could only watch on helplessly as they scored a further six goals in the second half, with Basaksehir only managing to fire back once in response.
Ozil needn’t worry too much though, as he has the full of backing of new boss, ex-Newcastle star Emre Belozoglu.
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He said: “Ozil has not been working with the team for four to five months. He will have another 20-25 days ahead of him to be ready.
“We are doing our best and he is doing his best, he wants to play football.
“We are happy with Mesut, he has to finish well in his career.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
