Mesut Özil’s best assist? When the ex-Real Madrid star offered to pay Arsenal’s mascot’s salary

Mesut Özil went viral in 2020 when he offered to pay the salary of sacked Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus.

Jerry Quy was relieved of his duties as mascot at the Emirates Stadium in October 2020. The club decided their services were no longer needed due to fans’ absence during the coronavirus pandemic.

Quy worked as the Gunners’ mascot for 27 years and was now facing unemployment. But a former Arsenal star came to the rescue: Mesut Özil offered to pay Quy’s salary.

Over the years, Quy had become a popular character at Arsenal, having donned the famous dinosaur costume in 1993, three years before the arrival of legendary manager Arsene Wenger.

The ‘Gunnersaurus’ was on the sidelines during a golden era for the club, during which the team won three Premier League titles, but fell victim to austerity measures amid the financial uncertainty of the coronavirus crisis.

Mesut Özil and the Gunnersaurus: “I was so sad”

Arsenal FC announced 55 layoffs for August 2020 to reduce its costs without the safety net of weekly revenue from ticket sales, TV channels and commercial ventures.

Gunners legend Paul Merson was among the first to open up about her disappointment at the decision to part ways with Gunnersaurus sky Sports expressed: “Incredible. All these kids, the Junior Gunners, there will be fans in their 30s and 40s who grew up with this dinosaur. It’s disappointing and I think it’s bad from Arsenal.”

However, Özil quickly spoke up and did his part to clarify the situation. He wrote on Twitter at the time: “I was so sad that Jerry Quy aka our famous and loyal mascot Gunnersaurus and an integral part of our club was fired after 27 years. Therefore I am offering Arsenal to reimburse our big green guy’s full salary as long as I am an Arsenal player am.”

Mesut Özil and the Gunnersaurus: A happy ending

A month later, Gunnersaurus was restored to office. In response to the news, Özil wrote at the time: “Glad you’re back where you belong #YaGunnersYa”.

The former Germany international, who announced his retirement from football on March 22, will go down in history as one of the greatest creative midfielders of all time, but his ‘assist’ for Gunnersaurus will always be remembered by Arsenal supporters and football fans around the world be remembered.