Mesut Ozil is reportedly 'convinced' that Arsenal's commercial interests in China played a role in the club's shock decision to omit him from their latest Premier League and Europa League squads.
It has been another controversial week for the German World Cup winner. Earlier this week, the 32-year-old playmaker released an emotional and hard-hitting statement that appeared to question the club's "loyalty".
"This is a difficult message to write to the Arsenal fans that I've played for over the past few years," Ozil began.
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"I'm really deeply disappointed by the fact that I have not been registered for the Premier League season for the time being.
"Upon signing my new contract in 2018, I pledged my loyalty and allegiance to the club that I love, Arsenal, and it saddens me that this has not been reciprocated. As I have just found out, loyalty is hard to come by nowadays."
Despite having a "strong connection" with the fans, Ozil went on to explain the difficult situation in further detail, with the final sentence in his statement a big talking point.
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"I've always tried to remain positive from week to week that there's maybe a chance to get back in the squad soon again," he continued.
"That's why I kept silent so far. Before the Coronavirus break I was really happy with the development under our new coach Mikel Arteta - we've been on a positive way and I would say my performances were on a really good level."
"But then things changed, again, and I was no longer allowed to play football for Arsenal. What else can I say? London still feels like home, I still have many good friends in this team, and I still feel a strong connection with the fans of this club. No matter what, I will keep fighting for my chance and not let my 8th season at Arsenal end like this.
"I can promise you that this hard decision won't change anything in my mindset. I will continue to train as best as I can and wherever possible use my voice against inhumanity and for justice."
The former Germany international, who spoke out about the treatment of the Uighur minority last year, insists he will continue to use his voice against inhumanity and for justice "wherever possible".
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It suggests that Ozil is talking about matters beyond football and, to back up that claim, The Daily Mail report that Ozil is 'convinced' this is the reason behind his Arsenal exile.
The former Real Madrid man provided a strong response against China's persecution of the Muslim Uighur community of Xinjiang, slammiing Muslims for not doing more to highlight the issue.
He posted a message on his official Instagram page in December saying: "East Turkistan, the bleeding wound of the Ummah, resisting against the persecutors trying to separate them from their religion.
"They burn their Qurans. They shut down their mosques. They ban their schools. They kill their holy men. The men are forced into camps and their families are forced to live with Chinese men. The women are forced to marry Chinese men.
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"But Muslims are silent. They won't make a noise. They have abandoned them. Don't they know that giving consent for persecution is persecution itself?"
Arsenal, who have a significant commerical presence in China, then released a statement distancing themselves from Ozil's viewpoints.
"Regarding the comments made by Mesut Ozil on social media, Arsenal must make a clear statement," the statement read.
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"The content published is Ozil's personal opinion. As a football club, Arsenal has always adhered to the principle of not involving itself in politics
As a result of his Ozil's comments, Arsenal's clash against Manchester City was pulled from TV channel CCTV in China, his 30,000-strong M10 fan club in the country were shut down, according to The Athletic, while his pages on Chinese social media sites Weibo and Douyin were wiped.
In fact, there was absolutely no mention of Ozil on Chinese commentary during Mikel Arteta's first game in charge - a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in December.
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