Under-fire Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has been defended over his recent performances by his German international colleagues. Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said: "It's normal that there are ups and downs in your career.
"Mesut is an extraordinary player and for Real Madrid, and in the beginning at Arsenal, he was excellent, so we don't need to worry about Mesut. He'll find his top form again and I can't see any problems."
Lukas Podolski - a team-mate at both club and country - added: "I think Mesut is a fantastic player. He's going to give a lot of joy to Arsenal and to Germany.
"He's still young and a good friend of mine. He's played many great games and he will play many more. I think some of the criticism was a bit exaggerated and unfair at times."
