The German Football Association on Monday rejected accusations by star midfielder Mesut Ozil that it was racist.
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Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has confirmed that he has retired from international duty, citing “disrespect” from within the German Football Federation.
Nigerian international Alex Iwobi will travel with Arsenal for their pre-season tour of Singapore, new head coach Unai Emery has confirmed.
The midfielder, who had long coveted the number, inherits the shirt from Jack Wilshere who has worn it for six years but has left the club.
Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Mexico has left Germany with little margin for error against Sweden in Sochi on Saturday and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer admitted the Mexican debacle was a “wake up call” that sparked a frank internal inquiry, with head coach Joachim Low faces growing calls to drop Mesut Ozil.
Joachim Low’s side have only won once since qualifying for the tournament with maximum points, edging past Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final warm-up game
The Arsenal midfielder scored the opening goal during Germany’s friendly defeat to Austria on Saturday, but was forced off 14 minutes from time after picking up a knee injury during a challenge with Watford defender Sebastian Prodl.
Neuer, who had not played a single official game since breaking a bone in his foot back in September, was handed the captaincy
The shirt features Arsenal’s vibrant red on the torso and back but uses white more prominently across the shoulder and sleeves than last season’s kit.
However, the German is confident he will be fit for the FIFA World Cup starting next month in Russia.
The Welshman and the French striker will likely take most of the plaudits following a resounding win at the Emirates, although Mesut Ozil was the unsung hero as he played a crucial part in all four goals to help hand the Gunners a commanding lead going into the second leg.
The 28-year-old Mueller and Arsenal playmaker Ozil both featured in Germany’s high tempo 1-1 friendly draw with Spain on Friday.
Troy Deeney missed a second-half penalty to get Watford back in the game as Petr Cech became the first goalkeeper to reach 200 Premier League clean sheets
The Gunners headed to Italy on the back of their worst run of form in 16 years, losing each of their last four, but they produced a professional performance to come away victorious
The Gunners remain eight points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea, but Brighton have moved into the top half of the standings with their third successive victory in the top flight
The first chance of the game went to the returning Danny Welbeck, who headed wide of the far post after meeting Mohamed Elneny’s cross, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan also had an effort cleared off the line by a defender
Though Mkhitaryan stole the show with a hat-trick of assists on his first appearance at the Emirates since joining from Manchester United, Iwobi was equally impressive, providing one of Aaron Ramsey’s three goals
The first of Arsenal’s four first-half goals arrived through their first attempt of note, as star attacking trio Mesut Ozil, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan exchanged passes, before the latter teed up Ramsey to convert from close range
Ozil’s previous deal had been due to expire at the end of the season, with the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus credited with an interest in the Germany international
Ozil struck with a tremendous effort in the 24th minute, and it proved enough for Arsenal to end their three-game winless streak and register a 10th successive victory over Newcastle in the process.