Markus Babbel has spoken highly of Arsenal's German contingent ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Babbel's former club travel to the Emirates Stadium for the Round of 16 first leg and the ex-defender believes there are some in-form players from his country currently plying their trade for the Gunners.
"(Lukas Podolski) surprises me," he toldMunchner Merkur . "I haven't given him the credit he deserves for the success he's had in England.
"Honestly, I thought he was too lazy at Bayern Munich and Koln, but he has emerged. When he is on the pitch, he is on fire.
"(Per Mertesacker) is held in unbelievably high esteem at Arsenal because he fights for his spot in the team.
"At the beginning, his performance were not exactly brilliant. But he never gave up. That impresses British fans. Now he is the captain of the team and should extend his contract. Hats off!"
As for £42million summer signing Mesut Ozil, Babbel added: "He's had to progress his body tension.
"The British fans always want to see full power. In footballing terms he is superb, no doubt."
