Mesut Ozil named Germany's Player of the Year for fifth time as Arsenal star dominates public vote 
Mesut Ozil has been named Germany’s Player of the Year for a fifth time. The public ballot saw Arsenal’s record signing claim the prize with a massive 54.5 per cent of the votes cast, well clear of Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos. German fans voted Ozil the country’s top performers in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and 2015, Kroos taking the award in 2014 as Joachim Low’s side lifted the World Cup. Ozil ended 2016 in sparkling form at club level; the German is already enjoying his best goalscoring season since joining the Gunners having scored nine goals in all competitions.
At international level 2016 was a disappointing year for both Ozil and Die Mannschaft with the world champions eliminated at the semi-finals of Euro 2016 by an Antoine Griezmann-inspired France.
Ozil scored his only goal of the summer tournament in a 1-1 draw with Italy, Germany subsequently qualifying on penalties after a bizarre shootout where the 28-year-old was one of seven players to miss from 12 yards out.
However Ozil labelled the game his highlight of 2016, a year Arsenal fell short in the title race and failed to win a major trophy after lifting the FA Cup in the two preceding seasons, telling the German national federation’s website: I definitely enjoy thinking back on my goal.
“But we didn’t reach our target, which was to win the European Championships. We wanted to win our semi-final against France, but didn’t accomplish it.
“On the other hand, we were able to phase-in a transition with many young players, which is important in regard to the World Cup where we will try to defend our title.
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/mesut-ozil-named-germanys-player-of-the-year-for-fifth-time-as-arsenal-star-dominates-public-vote-a3440996.html
