What happened to the players Arsenal signed alongside Mesut Özil?

• Mesut Özil is undoubtedly one of the best playmakers during his prime days. The German international joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013. 
• Mesut Özil was a star in England during his time with the Gunners. He helped the North London club win three FA Cups and a Community Shield. 
• Özil was not the only player who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2013. The Gunners signed four other players alongside Özil that summer. 

Mesut Özil is one of the best signings Arsenal have made in recent years. The German international joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 for around 42.5 million euros. 

Arsenal signing Mesut Özil was an excitement to the fans because he was one of the best players at that time. The talented playmaker provided an assist in his debut against Sunderland. He continued with his brilliant performance as he assisted all the three goals Arsenal scored against Stoke City in a 3-1 win in his home debut. 

Mesut Özil played a huge role as the Gunners won the FA Cup during the 2013-14 season. The legendary playmaker left Arsenal in 2021 after helping Arsenal win three FA Cups and a FA Community Shield. He also helped the Gunners reach the finals of the UEFA Europa League and the EFL Cup, where they finished as runner-up on both occasions. 

Mesut Özil is not the only player who joined Arsenal in the summer of 2013. Arsenal brought Özil alongside four other players at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2013. This article will look at the four other players who joined Arsenal alongside Mesut Özil in the same summer.

Mesut Ozil joined Arsenal in 2013. Photo/ Twitter.

1. Mathieu Flamini

Mathieu Flamini rejoined Arsenal from AC Milan in the summer of 2013. The star midfielder’s return went well as Arsene Wenger, and the fans expected. 

However, he was not the best option to replace the legendary Patrick Viera at Arsenal’s midfield. Flamini made 93 appearances and scored five goals in his second spell with the Gunners before joining Crystal Palace in 2016. 

Mathieu Flamini won the FA Cup twice with the Gunners during his second time at Arsenal in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. 

2. Yaya Sanogo

Yaya Sanogo is another player who joined Arsenal in the summer as Mesut Özil. The French international was 20 when Arsenal signed him on a free transfer from Auxerre. 

Yaya looked too raw to play in the English Premier League, but Arsene Wenger trusted him. The French manager encouraged him that he would soon get better and fit in the league.

At one point, after an FA Cup between Arsenal and Liverpool, Arsene Wenger described Yaya’s performance as excellent. However, he struggled throughout the game. The only competitive goal Yaya Sanogo scored for Arsenal was against Borussia Dortmund in a Champions League match.

Yaya Sanogo. Photo/ She Wore A Yellow Ribbon.

Yaya was loaned to Crystal Palace and Charlton before being released to French side Toulouse in 2017. Yaya was part of Arsenal’s squad that won the 2013-14 FA Cup and the 2014 Community Shield. 

The striker has been a free agent since leaving Huddersfield in 2021. 

3. Matt Macey

Matt Macey joined Arsenal in October 2013 for 100,000 euros. The former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper travelled to Austria with the first team for pre-season friendlies. 

Matt was on the bench during a league match between Arsenal and West Brom. The England international was loaned out to Accrington Stanley, Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle before leaving the club in 2021. 

Matt Macey never made an appearance for the Gunners’ first team until 2021, when he joined Hibernian. However, he has a winner’s medal that he got when Arsenal defeated Chelsea at the 2019-20 FA Cup.

Matt is currently playing for Luton Town. 

4. Semi Ajayi

Semi Ajayi arrived at the North London club in September 2013 from Charlton Athletic. The Nigerian international couldn’t get playing time at Arsenal because there were better centre-backs at the club than him. 

He was loaned to Cardiff in 2015 before joining the club on a permanent move the same year. Cardiff City sent Semi Ajayi on loan to AFC Wimbledon, Crewe Alexandra and Rotham United. He never made any senior appearance for Cardiff, just like Arsenal. 

Semi Ajayi joined West Brom in 2019 and has been a regular starter at the club.