Mesut Ozil has reassured Arsenal fans that he did not suffer an injury after being taken off at half-time of Germany’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
Gunners supporters were given a scare after Ozil, 27, was replaced by Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan at the break in Hannover.
However, the change by Joachim Low appears to have been purely tactical with his side already 2-0 up and Ozil taking to Twitter afterwards to ease Arsenal fans’ worries.
Mesut Özil ✔ @MesutOzil1088
Thanks for taking care because of my substitution but everything is all right guys ?? #GERNIR #DieMannschaft
Germany had taken control of the game thanks to two early goals from Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira, and the more defensive-minded Gundogan helped the world champions see out the match after the break.
Germany now have three wins from their three qualifiers as they look set to comfortably reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ozil also praised Germany fans for playing their part in Hannover during the game.
Mesut Özil ✔ @MesutOzil1088
3 matches, 9 points and on top of the table ? Great and peaceful atmosphere here in #Hannover today ? #GERNIR #DieMannschaft @DFB_Team
The extra rest for Ozil will likely have been appreciated by Arsene Wenger, who has other fitness concerns to worry about ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Swansea.
Wenger will have to make a late decision on whether to rest Alexis Sanchez, who played for Chile in their 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over Peru on Tuesday and faces a long flight back from South America. Sanchez started on the bench against Southampton after the last international break in September.
Arsenal strikers Olivier Giroud and Lucas Perez both missed the last game at Burnley with injuries, as did midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin.