Mats Hummels has come to the defence of German international team-mate Mesut Ozil before the two meet in Bayern Munich's Champions League tie with Arsenal, reports the London Evening Standard.

Ozil's starting spot in the Allianz Arena on Wednesday is up for debate after a string of disappointing performances for Arsenal.

Bayern centre-back Hummels, though, would welcome the absence of Ozil from Arsenal's starting lineup and made clear that the playmaker and Gunners' top scorer Alexis Sanchez were the two players the Bavarian defence feared the most.

"I know Mesut very well; he is one of the best offensive midfielders," Hummels said. "He always finds a solution for difficult solutions and of course this year he also scores.

"That was the one point I think he needed to improve but he did it. He is great.

"Sanchez of course is a little more athletic than Mesut. Maybe not as perfect as Mesut is in other things but always attacking the goals and difficult for defenders."