Arsenal look set to be without German midfielder Mesut Ozil for the visit of West Ham after he missed training on Friday due to illness.

The 29-year-old is likely to be sidelined and Aaron Ramsey, who is yet to sign a new contract with the Gunners, will look to step up into a starting role.

Ozil was hooked midway through the second half in the 3-2 defeat by Chelsea last weekend as boss Unai Emery has begun his time in charge with back-to-back losses and he will want to get off the mark at home against the Hammers.

Mesut Ozil looks set to miss Arsenal’s London derby with West Ham after battling with illness

The German came off after 68 minutes in defeat by Chelsea as Unai Emery seeks his first win

West Ham are also looking for a first win under new management, having been beaten by Liverpool on the opening day and Bournemouth at home last weekend.

While battling illness, Ozil has also seen further fallout from his decision this summer to retire from international duty as the playmaker hit out at racism in the German FA after being made a 'scapegoat' following their group stage World Cup exit.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp called criticism of Ozil 'hypocritical' and came to the defence of the Arsenal star, likening him to Ilkay Gundogan, Emre Can and Nuri Sahin, all of which are German with Turkish roots.

'This is a classic example of absolute misinformation and, of course, complete nonsense,' Klopp told Sport 1.

The fallout from Ozil's international retirement this summer continued in Germany this week

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said the hostility towards the Arsenal midfielder is 'hypocritical'

'In politics, little things have always been blown up and big things pushed away in order to continue. Normally, intelligent people tend to hold back because it is not easy to say the right thing.

'I would count myself [among those people] too. All those who have no idea are very loud in these conversations.

'I know Ilkay Gundogan very well, I know Emre Can and Nuri Sahin very well. I do not know Mesut so well, but I would like to take him home. I do not doubt these guys, at least about their loyalty to our homeland.

'The difference is that they just have one more thing [in their heritage]. Where is the problem? That's beautiful.'