Mahdavikia kicked off HSV roster for Arsenal clash: report

IRNA - Mehdi Mahdavikia will not be in Hamburg's starting formation when his team meet European Champions League Group G rivals Arsenal London at home on Wednesday, the kicker sports magazine reported Monday.

The decision by HSV coach Thomas Doll was apparently made following Mahdavikia's dismal performance in his squad's surprising first-round German elimination cup loss against the amateur club Stuttgarter Kickers on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Iranian international who joined Hamburg in 1999, has also been dramatically out of form during the first three Bundesliga matches this season.