Arsenal's Midfield Hero Misses Out On Germany Selection

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has been left out of the Germany team to face England on Tuesday, with manager Joachim Low explaining that he wants to experiment with his squad in preparation for the World Cup.

The news will be welcomed by Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger, who won't have to worry whether his star player will pick up an injury before the Gunners' next league match with Southampton on Saturday 23 November.

And as Germany currently shoulder the billing of one of the favourites for the 2014 World Cup, having been particularly dominant in South Africa four years ago and thrashing England 4-1, Low says he wants to try different options as he decides his best squad for Brazil.

"The game against England is the last chance to test tactics and personnel before the World Cup," the manager said. "Lahm, Neuer and Özil are the absolute core, for me it's important to give other players in key positions a chance to prove themselves against a great team like England."

Germany drew with Italy 1-1 on Friday night while England lost disappointingly 2-0 to Chile.

But Roy Hodgson's men will be keen to undo at least a small amount of damage caused by Germany's thrashing of the Three Lions at the 2010 World Cup, even if the 4-1 victory came in part as a result of England having an equalising goal wrongly ruled out by the referee.

Meanwhile the break will give Ozil a chance to recover fully from the illness that resulted in a sub-par performance for Arsenal against Manchester United last Sunday.

Arsenal's lead at the top of the table was cut to just two points after their loss to United and a win against third-placed Saints is a must if the team is to continue its successful season.