Germany manager Joachim Loew has stated that Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil is not guaranteed a place in the national team squad for the World Cup 2014. His comments come at a time when the £ 42 million signing has been struggling for form. He has been continuously playing since the start of the season and physical energy appears to have been deprived of him in recent weeks. Ozil was left out of the recent matches by manager Arsene Wenger after exceptionally poor performances in high-profile matches like that of against Liverpool. The 24-year-old was responsible for two of the five goals scored by Liverpool.

He was recently substituted at half-time in the Champions League match against Bayern Munich. It was one of the ignominious exits from the German considering that Arsenal are still chasing for the goals that would put them into the quarter-finals. Germany are extremely strong in the midfield with several players threatening to break through into the first-team. Hence, Loew says that Ozil’s form should improve very soon otherwise he would miss out on the plane to Brazil 2014. Germany legend Lothar Matthaus recently stated that Ozil should be dropped in favour of Bayern Munich’s Toni Kroos, who has been in impressive form since the arrival of Guardiola to the club.

“We need the best players currently available at the World Cup, and not theoretically the best. I’ve told the players: The clock is ticking. And only ones who hear it will have a fighting chance. This is an appeal to all and a wake up call to many to work on their training, their routine, and their professionalism as now is the optimal time [to work on those things] before the tournament,” said Loew. “If Ozil is at his best, he can help, but the recent performances have raised doubts,” said Matthaus.