Germany reached the Word Cup final with a stunning 7:1 demolition of Brazil last night. To be honest I didn’t expect such a performance from the German team at all. They were ruthless, mobile in every area of the field and just didn’t stop to get into the space Brazil left them.
I was to write about Arsenal’s German trio and their influence since the start of the tournament, especially in the knock out phase. With yesterdays result I need to make sure I’m getting back to earth quickly though. But let’s take a closer look on how the Arsenal boys lead Germany to the final or participated on their way.
We may start with Lukas Podolski as he had only one start in the tournament and hasn’t been a real factor on the pitch so far. Before the start of tournament I thought he may have a chance to get into Löw’s starting XI simply because we don’t have a classic striker with us besides Klose. Müller is more a wing player and Podolski could have provided that. But as we are a “Tuniermannschaft” which means we are getting better and better throughout the tournament so did our strikers. Müller is on fire and Klose just broke the all time World Cup scoring record. With Schürrle as the player to come in when it’s needed Lukas is pretty much left out. Plus he was injured for one game. All in all I don’t think it’s a negative experience for him as one may suggest. He has the feel good factor which is needed within the German team. Same as Kevin Großkreutz he provides that extra touch of fun within the squad. Kevin Großkreuz even took Dortmund’s bus driver with him as one of his “relatives” to accompany the players, along with his father.
Poldi – Always smiling and encouraging even from the bench
Next is Per Mertesacker. Per has been solid during the group stage. With Matts Hummels on the scoring end two times he not the main man in central defence when it comes to the German perspective. But as many in Germany know Per has the experience against these world class players you have to face in a World Cup. Sadly Mertesacker lost his place in the starting XI against France due to a slight flu which also kept Hummels out for one match. Löw preferred to go with the Hummels Boateng combo primarily as Philipp Lahm has been ordered back into defence. I doubt that Löw will change his formation for the final. But with Per coming on in the second half yesterday he has seen that there is no loss in quality in Germany’s back four with the Arsenal man.
Per- Assured and composed when called upon
Finally Mesut Özil; I just love to see this guy play and I’m still amazed he’s ours. The criticism he gets in Germany is ridiculous and not even justified based on his stats. I agree that he always appears a bit bored/sad but that’s just the way he looks. Poldi smiles all the time and no one cares. Yesterdays match was a good example how looking at a game closely often helps. Right at the end Mesut Özil missed a chance to make it 8:0. Wow how could he do that? (Sarcasm if not realised). That he had two assist (second and third goal I think) is just “normal”. He almost had a third assist but Khedira only hit Kroos’s back. Mesut has also been the most influential player in the oppositions final third with most passes played. Against Algeria he scored the decisive second goal that got Germany into the next round. Sometimes people don’t get how lucky they are to have such a great player in their team. Think about it.
Don’t worry MO we love you and appreciate what you bring.
Now off to the final. Will be another showdown in Rio.
Mad, Jens-like, thirty-something German. Waving the Arsenal flag in Münster, Germany. Red member. Visiting Arsenal matches for more than 10 years now. Still fussed EasyJet won’t get me free flights. Always down N5 with my dad. Worked in London for about half a year. Started my own German Arsenal blog about two years ago. Expert on Bundesliga issues. BVB my local club.
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