World Cup 2022: Wolfsburg’s Maximilian Arnold hopes for a place in the DFB team

Wolfsburg on Flick’s list

Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold has three international matches to his name so far, and the 28-year-old has not yet given up the chance of taking part in the World Cup in Qatar despite enormous competition in the midfield of the DFB team. “Hansi Flick called me and said that I’m on the list,” confirmed the 297-time Bundesliga player in the “table football“-Podcast “FE:male view on football” Contact with the national coach.

Arnold made his debut in the A-Elf in May 2014 when he played 13 minutes against Poland in preparation for the World Cup under then coach Joachim Löw. Two short appearances followed last November against Liechtenstein and Armenia, most recently he was nominated by Flick for the Nations League games against Hungary and England, but had no playing time. “After the first international match against Hungary, I still had to run on the pitch after the game. I don’t even know when I last did that at the club. I honestly have to say: I can’t remember the last time I really sat on the bench,” Arnold explained in the podcast.

Aside from suspensions and injury breaks, the Wolfsburg homegrown player was last absent from the squad in March 2018. The left-footed player is aware that given the top-class competition in the DFB midfield, if he is nominated he will initially have to prepare himself for a place on the bench: “I know my role completely,” Arnold explained, although he probably has to get used to it: ” If you are really faced with the naked truth, then you have to swallow. (…) The biggest point of the matter is: When you know that you belong to the top 30, that’s really nice to hear. But when you then know that it’s not quite enough because other players in my position are at world-class level, it’s pretty hard to admit that to yourself.”

Arnold on World Cup chances with the DFB team: Form curve shows “significantly upwards”

Arnold has been involved in four goals in twelve Bundesliga games this season and feels good. Flick has attested to him that he presented himself positively during the last DFB courses. “I think my form curve is clearly pointing upwards. (…) I tried to influence what I could influence as much as possible,” said the Wolfsburg player, who still does not want to put himself on the same level as established national players in terms of performance: “It would be complete nonsense if I said that I’m three times better than Kimmich. You really have to be able to assess yourself. I wouldn’t say I’m far away, but it’s a whole different level.”

Leeds defender Koch is also hoping for a World Cup: “It’s in the hands of the national coach”

Flick will name his final squad for the tournament in Qatar next Thursday. One who is also hoping for a place is central defender Robin Koch from Premier League club Leeds United. “I’m sure that I can give every team a lot of positive things on and off the pitch, including the national team,” the 26-year-old explained to the “Sport Information Service” (SID) when asked about a possible World Cup participation.

Koch had played his last senior international match in June 2021 against Denmark and had not played in the squad during the European Championships in the same summer. “Of course I still hope to be there,” said the native of Kaiserslautern, who moved from Freiburg to the “Peacocks” on the island for 13 million euros in 2020 – to this day, this sum makes him one of the most expensive sales in Breisgau.

Koch denied at Table-15. Leeds have eleven of twelve league games over the full distance this season and are set under former Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch. In the defensive center of the DFB team, he competes with players such as Antonio Rüdiger, Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck, Thilo Kehrer, Matthias Ginter and Armel Bella-Kotchap for available places. “I’ve said many times that I can only step on the gas and show strong performances at my club. That has worked quite well so far this season. Everything else is in the hands of the national coach,” said Koch.

To home page