Özil wore Jay-Jay Okocha’s number 10 jersey as a child

Mesut Özil has revealed that he wore Nigerian legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha’s number 10 jersey when he was younger.

Özil revealed this during a Twitter question and answer #AskMesut with his followers. 

“#AskMesut What name and number were written behind the fb shirt you wore when you were younger?” a fan asked.

“Numbers 10” and “Jay Jay Okocha” Özil responded.

Okocha, who is regarded by many as the most talented player to come out of Africa, played in Turkey and Germany with Fenerbahce and Eintracht Frankfurt during Özil’s childhood.

Though Özil never played with Okocha, he played with Okocha’s cousin, Alex Iwobi at Arsenal before he left for Everton.

Özil also named his best starting lineup at Arsenal in the era he played for the club. His inclusion of David Ospina and Sead Kolašinac wasn’t well received by many, as they feel Bernd Leno and Nacho Mineral should have been ahead of the two.

Ospina – Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Kolasinac – Cazorla, Ramsey – Serge Gnabry, Özil, Alexis Sanchez – Aubameyang

Özil has been frozen out of the Arsenal team by Arteta, a decision he claimed was more for footballing reasons as there’s no need for a number 10 in his favoured 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 setups.

Youngster Emile Smith Rowe has been delivering brilliant performances as a natural number 10 lately and Özil has not hidden his praise for the youngster.

“He made the difference in the last couple of games as a No 10 – really happy for him… and that he showed that playing with a No 10 still can make sense in today’s football. @emilesmithrowe” Özil said.

Özil is being linked with Turkish club Fenerbahce with a January exit from Arsenal in the loom and he has hailed the club as the best club in Turkey.