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Mesut Ozil 'believes Arsenal axe was for commercial reasons'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 22 October 2020

Mesut Ozil believes that he was left him out of Arsenal's Europa League and Premier League squads for commercial reasons, according to a report.

Mesut Ozil is reportedly of the opinion that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta left him out of the club's Europa League and Premier League squads for commercial reasons.

The former Germany international has seemingly played his last game for the Gunners, having been omitted from the team's 25-man Premier League squad, while he is also not eligible to play in the Europa League.

Ozil said that he was "deeply disappointed" to be left out of the selection, but Arteta insisted that he had been "really fair" with the attacker and said that the call was "a football decision".

However, according to the Daily Mail, the 32-year-old believes that Arsenal's commercial interests in China played a leading role in the club's decision.

Last December, Ozil took to Instagram to condemn China's alleged mistreatment of Uighur Muslims in the north-western region of Xinjiang, which is said to have had 'damaging commercial consequences' for the Gunners.

The 31-year-old, who has not turned out for his current club since March, will be out of contract next summer and is believed to be attracting interest from MLS outfit DC United.

Ozil penned a £350,000-a-week deal at the Emirates Stadium in February 2018.