Marco Reus insists Germany team-mate Mesut Ozil can compete with Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus, who has this morning been linked with a big-money move to Arsenal, is adamant that his Germany team-mate Mesut Ozil can compete with Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, despite Arsenal’s record signing enduring a difficult season.

When Ozil joined the Gunners on deadline day last summer in a £42.4 million deal, many believed that manager Arsene Wenger had successfully negotiated a deal for a player of the highest order.

Although the 25-year-old began his career in north London in blistering form he suffered a lack of confidence during the second half of the campaign and has received a flurry of criticism for his performances.

However, he was still included in Germany’s World Cup squad and Reus has no doubts about the former Real Madrid man’s talent and even suggested he can compete with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is widely considered to be the best player in the world.

“For Ozil’s part, he certainly has the class to compete with Ronaldo,” he told reporters.

Despite his team mates’ claims, it has been suggested Ozil should be dropped from the team entirely. Meanwhile, Reus, who has been tipped to leave the Bundesliga runners-up this summer, is happy to play anywhere to fulfil his World Cup dream.

“I have played the World Cup qualifiers on the left wing, and that position suits me fine The Bundestrainer [Joachim Low] also knows that I can play in the middle, on the right wing and in attack. I don’t care which position I play. My goal is to play at the World Cup,” he insisted.

Germany face Ronaldo’s Portugal, USA and Ghana in Group G.

Mesut Ozil scored five goals in the Premier League last season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 31 in La Liga.