Mesut Ozil hails Arsenal loanee Sead Kolasinac after defender produces ‘real captain’s performance’ to inspire Schalke’s first Bundesliga win in almost a year

Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac made an instant impact in his first game back for Schalke on Saturday, as he captained the club to their first win in almost an ENTIRE YEAR.

The 27-year-old completed a move back to his former club at the start of the January transfer window, on a loan deal for the remainder of the current season.

He returned to a Schalke club in crisis, without a victory in 30 Bundesliga games in one of the longest winless runs in German football history.

But the club ended that nightmare in fine style on Saturday with a huge 4-0 victory over Hoffenheim – and Kolasinac was the catalyst that made it happen.

The full-back was hailed by spectators for his ‘real captain’s performance’, as he barked instructions to teammates, pointed when he wanted them to move and flew into challenges to inspire the team to a superb display.

He even ended the game in midfield as new manager Christian Gross changed it up in the second-half, a sign of Kolasinac’s influence in the game.

Another defeat or draw would have seen Schalke equal a 55-year record of 31 games without a win in the German top flight. That record was set by Tasmania Berlin, dubbed ‘the worst team in Bundesliga history’ all the way back in 1966.

But it was clear from the start that Kolasinac wasn’t going to let his boyhood club make unwanted history, and he set the tempo from the off as Schalke made a rare strong start.

Their defense wasn’t rock-solid, as they had goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann to thank for a series of outstanding saves, but they were ruthless upfront as 19-year-old Matthew Hoppe’s hat-trick and another strike from 23-year-old Amine Harit – who also got three assists – sealed a stunning 4-0 win.

Hoppe’s trio made him the first American to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga, and it led Schalke to their first victory in 358 days, since January 17, 2020.

But Kolasinac’s impact is not likely to be forgotten in an impressive display of his leadership in Germany.

He also earned praise from fellow Gunners outcast Mesut Ozil, who hailed the performance of his ‘brother’ on social media.

The defender’s move to Germany was interpreted as the start of Mikel Arteta’s ‘cull’ of deadwood at the Emirates Stadium.

But is it possible the Bosnian could play his way into a new contract in north London?