Germany
Lukas Podolski (Germany)
Arsenal’s number nine emerged of the World scene at a home World Cup in 2006, remaining part of the set-up ever since. Though he is not the regular starter he used to be, Podolski is still a key-part of the Germany set-up and is now one of a few established players surrounded by a young core of talent.
Podolski’s side will be aiming for ultimate glory this summer and the player himself will be expecting to make an impact on the tournament, scoring and creating crucial goals that can propel the Eagles into the latter stages of the tournament.
Podolski has hit a purple patch of form in the end stages of the season and will be looking to transfer his performances onto the international stage when he gets the opportunity, especially as impressing early on could provide him with a key-role in his national side for the duration of the tournament.
Per Mertesaker (Germany)
Arsenal’s BFG is an established player in Germany’s starting line-up and he will be looking to lead his side to glory this summer, as part of a formidable defence alongside Bayern’s Philip Lahm, Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer- with Marcel Schmelzer on the left.
The towering centre-back has had a superb season in North London and has established himself as a key-part of the Arsenal team, leading the Gunners to a title charge- while he singlehandedly changed the course of the game in the FA Cup semi-final against Wigan, scoring at both ends.
Mertesaker will be a crucial part of Joachim Lowe’s side as they hope to become the first European nation to clinch World Cup victory in South America. The defender will break apart many attacks but can also provide the difference at the other end, as he showed England when he scored at Wembley last year.
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Arsenal’s star-man is a pivotal figure for his national side, where Joachim Lowe has developed his entire attack around the Turkish-German star. He will be expected to make an impact and provide key-passes for his team to latch onto, while he is also a good bet for player of the tournament if Germany reach the stages they are aiming for.
The Gunners record signing has had mixed reviews after his first Premier League season but now has the chance to show the world exactly what he is capable of, which would also kickstart his Arsenal career into full effect- as next season he can tear teams apart and lead the North London side to exactly where they want to be.
Ozil is expected to be one of the star-men in this World Cup tournament and if he performs to his best he should find himself in the team of the competition, while his performances may push his team towards ultimate glory- which is exactly what the Eagles, and many worldwide, are expecting.