Do you remember Mesut Özil? The former Arsenal star, known for his brilliant playmaking, faced a somewhat tragic end to his career with the club—much like the situation Orlando Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng is experiencing now.

Both players had their highs but ultimately found themselves on the sidelines, leaving fans disappointed.

Özil’s Magic at Arsenal and His Unexpected Decline

When Mesut Özil signed with Arsenal in 2013 for a hefty €47 million from Real Madrid, Arsenal fans were ecstatic.

The signing was seen as a game-changer, and for a while, Özil lived up to the hype.

He was a maestro on the field, creating assists and making dazzling plays.

His performance during the 2015-2016 Premier League season, where he recorded a jaw-dropping 19 assists, cemented his place as one of the best playmakers of his time.

However, Özil’s time at Arsenal slowly soured.

Despite being the club’s highest earner, he found himself benched and even went unused in games towards the end of his tenure.

Speculation suggested that he had fallen out of favor with then-manager Unai Emery, which led to his eventual departure.

It was a sad end to what could have been a brilliant chapter at Arsenal.

Saleng’s Highs and Lows at Orlando Pirates

Monnapule Saleng had a similarly explosive rise at Orlando Pirates.

In the 2022-2023 season, Saleng was at the peak of his career, contributing 15 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.

Like Özil, he was the star of his team, thrilling fans with his flair and talent.

However, after those high moments, Saleng’s form started to decline, much like Özil’s did at Arsenal.

Recently, Pirates had the chance to sell Saleng to European clubs for around €2 million (about R40 million). But the decision was made to keep him at the club.

Now, looking at his lack of playing time in 2025—he hasn’t featured in a single competitive match—it’s becoming clear that the decision might have been a mistake.

His last appearance was in December 2024 during a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League.

Orlando Pirates’ Struggles and a Glimmer of Hope

Orlando Pirates recently experienced a reality check in their title race with a heavy 4-1 loss to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

However, Sundowns also stumbled in their next match, opening the door for Pirates to still make a push for the Betway Premiership crown.

Despite trailing Sundowns by nine points, Pirates have two games in hand, so the title is still within reach.

Their next match will be a Nedbank Cup Round of 16 clash at home against Baroka on Saturday, February 15, followed by a crucial away game against Golden Arrows on February 19.

Pirates fans are hopeful that their team can turn things around, but the question remains: will Saleng feature again, or has his time at Pirates come to a quiet end?

A Question for Fans

With so much uncertainty around Saleng’s future at the club, it’s clear that Orlando Pirates fans are anxiously awaiting answers.

Will he return to the squad and help Pirates in their quest for the Premiership title, or has his stint at the club come to a close? Let us know your thoughts—leave a comment or send a message via WhatsApp.

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This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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