Lothar Matthaus: 'Per Mertesacker is overrated'

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has insisted that Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker "lacks international calibre".

Mertesacker was part of the Germany side that let slip a four-goal advantage against Sweden on Wednesday night to draw 4-4, and Matthaus believes that it was partly the fault of the 28-year-old centre-back.

Matthaus told Bild: "Some players are overrated. Mats Hummels, who was missing in Berlin, was missed as Per Mertesacker, for me, lacks international calibre."

51-year-old Matthaus made 150 appearances for Germany between 1980 and 2000.