Arsene Wenger says whatever is going on between Mesut Ozil and Arsenal is deeper than just sport.
Ozil is the Gunners' best-paid player earning a staggering £350,000-a-week. But the German hasn't kicked a ball for Arsenal so far this season, and learnt last week that he had not been included in Mikel Arteta's 25-man squad for the Europa League.
The World Cup winner is set to learn whether or not he will be axed from Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad this week, amid reports he is certain to be left out.
Wenger signed Ozil for Arsenal back in 2013, and had problems of his own with the midfielder, although never froze him out entirely.
On Ozil's situation, Wenger told Sky Sports: "I don't know what's happening on a daily basis.
"I just say one thing, the creative players are the players who are perfectionists and they are a bit more sensitive sometimes and they need to be encouraged.
"Because if I want to play a risky pass I need to be confident and creative players they create this pass that makes the team dangerous.
"Mesut Ozil is an exceptional football player. What's happening at the moment between him and the club looks to be more confrontational, it's not [only] based on sport, I'm convinced.
"This guy has won things. He's a world champion, he's an exceptional football player.
"Why is he not at the moment playing? I don't know. When you're a football player you have to respect the decision of your manager and fight to get your confidence and get back into the team again.
"He can fight, contrary to what people think, he can fight. And he's an exceptional football player, he has enough quality to get back into the team. So it's down to him to get his confidence back."
Has Mesut Ozil played his final game for Arsenal? Have your say here.
* Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip
