Mesut Ozil has been benched for Germany’s game against Sweden. (Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Mesut Ozil has been dropped for Germany’s crucial World Cup clash with Sweden on Saturday evening.

The Arsenal midfielder has been heavily criticised for his performance in the 1-0 defeat to Mexico last Sunday, with former Germany international Mario Basler accusing the 29-year-old of having ‘the body language of a dead frog’.

Germany’s World Cup-winning midfielder Lothar Matthäus was similarly scathing in his analysis of Ozil’s display.

‘With Ozil on the pitch I often have the feeling that he doesn’t feel at ease in the DFB shirt, that he isn’t free, almost as if he doesn’t want to join in the game at all,’ he told Bild.




It’s understood that Joachim Low’s decision to drop Ozil is purely a tactical change as the midfielder has trained without any problems this week.

Since making his debut for the national side, Ozil had started in all 26 games for Germany at a major tournament.

Low has made a total of four changes from the team that started in the defeat to Mexico last weekend.

Mats Hummels has failed to overcome a neck problem and is replaced by Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger.

Ozil trained without problems this week. (Getty Images)

Sebastian Rudy is preferred to Sami Khedira in central midfield, Marco Reus comes into the side at Ozil’s expense.

Jonas Hector missed the Mexico match due to illness but has recovered and replaces Marvin Plattenhardt at left back.

Germany now face a muntain to climb if they want to top Group F as Mexico sealed a 2-1 win over South Korea on Saturday afternoon.