LONDON — Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Mesut Ozil after their in-form playmaker was injured during Germany’s 5-3 World Cup qualifying win over Sweden.
ESPN
With eight minutes of the Group C clash remaining, Ozil lowered himself to the ground before limping off in Stockholm. Arsenal fans will be hoping that early reports in Germany prove correct, with Bild claiming that the 25-year-old has merely bruised a knee.
Ozil has been in brilliant form since arriving from Real Madrid in the summer, with his creativity a key reason behind Arsenal’s rise to the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners entertain Norwich on Saturday before the Champions League visit of Borussia Dortmund next Tuesday.
If Ozil faces a short absence, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is at least welcoming back the playmaking talents of Santi Cazorla this weekend. Ozil was on the mark for his country last night, although Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle stole the show for the already-qualified Germans with a second-half hat-trick.
The hosts, who were certain to make the play-offs, led when Tobias Hysen slotted in Sebastian Larsson’s pass after six minutes.
Alexander Kacaniklic put the Swedes 2-0 up before Ozil pulled one back for the visitors before the break.
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Ozil set up Mario Gotze to level eight minutes into the second period before Blues winger Schurrle twice punished Swedish defensive errors. Hysen reduced the deficit with a first-time shot following Larsson’s quick free-kick before Schurrle curled in his third goal with 14 minutes left.
English Barclays Premier League Fixtures Saturday: Newcastle United v Liverpool (St. James’ Park, 1345), Arsenal v Norwich City (Emirates Stadium, 1600), Chelsea v Cardiff City (Stamford Bridge, 1600), Everton v Hull City (Goodison Park, 1600), Manchester United v Southampton (Old Trafford, 1600), Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion (Britannia Stadium, 1600), Swansea City v Sunderland (Liberty Stadium, 1600), West Ham United v Manchester City (Boleyn Ground, 1830)
Sunday: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (Villa Park, 1700)
