Mesut Ozil one of the best in the world, says Philipp Lahm

Philipp Lahm

Phillip Lahm has told his Bayern Munich team-mates to be on their guard as they face Arsenal, with Mesut Ozil pinpointed as the main threat to Bayern’s hopes of progressing to the quarter finals of the Champions League.

Ozil has faced a lot of criticism lately from sections of the Arsenal support after a poor run of form, with his performance in the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool a particular display that Gunners’ fans took umbrage with.

But Lahm feels that Bayern cannot take Ozil or Arsenal lightly at all if they are to continue their surge to a fourth final in five years.

Lahm told reporters, “Many of the players at Bayern know exactly what Mesut is capable of – he has been one of the best central midfield players in the world for many years now.

“He sees passes and space that very few players in the world are able to see – he is a very intelligent player.

“Even when he is not maybe having the best of games or is not in the best form, you can’t give him any space on the ball – because in a second he can find that pass and you are punished.”