Mesut Ozil will miss Germany’s upcoming clash with the Republic of Ireland after the German Football Association announced he is likely to be out of action for 10 to 12 weeks due to a knee injury.
Ozil played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday but, having joined up with the German national squad, complained about a problem in his left knee and was sent for an MRI scan in Munich.
A statement on the DFB website read: "The MRI examination...revealed a partial rupture of the outer band of the left knee joint.
"The treatment is conservative, with six weeks of immobilisation of the knee joint. Mesut Ozil is likely to be [out for] 10 to 12 weeks."
"We're expecting a difficult October with some uncomfortable games"
An Arsenal statement read: "Arsenal can confirm that midfielder Mesut Ozil is returning to London from international duty with Germany after picking up a knee injury during Sunday's game at Chelsea.
"Ozil complained of a sore left knee after the game and the club advised the German FA to run medical checks when he joined up with his international squad.
"The club will make further assessments and it is too early to say how long Ozil may be out of action."
The news is another blow for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who has seen midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta pick up injuries in recent weeks.
Chelsea's Andre Schurrle was also absent from Germany training on Wednesday morning as he continues a personal training plan inside the team hotel in Frankfurt.
Meanwhile, Germany's general manager, Oliver Bierhoff, is expecting the next few weeks to be a huge test for the world champions.
"When you are world champions, the expectations are higher and your opponents' motivation is greater to beat us," he said at a press conference.
"We're expecting a difficult October with some uncomfortable games."
Germany are still in transition following the retirements of Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose.
Bastian Schweinsteiger is also missing through injury, but in spite of all adversity, Bierhoff is still demanding the very best.
"We want a successful October with two wins," he said. "We want to take another step forwards and keep the team on their toes."
Poland forward Robert Lewandowski is one man looking to throw a spanner in the works and beat his Bayern Munich team-mate Manuel Neuer this Saturday.
"Robert is one of the best forwards in the world," said goalkeeper Neuer. "We're going to have to pay attention to him.
"But I know him and I've got through many a training session without conceding a goal to him.
"It's important that we build on the three points we won against Scotland, but we're expecting a tough game in Warsaw."
Live coverage of Ireland v Gibraltar from 4pm on Saturday on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and Radio 1. Live coverage of Germany v Ireland from 7pm on Tuesday on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and 2fm.
