Mesut Ozil looks set to miss out on the Arsenal matchday squad for this afternoon's Premier League clash against Sheffield United.
The attacking midfielder has not featured in a competitive match for the Gunners since the 1-0 win over West Ham United last season in which he claimed an assist for Alexandre Lacazette for the only goal of the game.
When asked about the former Germany international's current status, manager Mikel Arteta said he's had good talks with Ozil as well as another first-team outcast in Matteo Guendouzi.
"The way we manage the squad, we tell everybody the role we expect from them," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. "The players have really good communication with myself and the club.
"A player that doesn’t play is never happy and I don’t want them to be happy, I want them to change it.
"I don’t like the excuse of a lot of competition.
"Just do it on the pitch."
But will the 31-year-old get a chance to prove himself by returning to the squad for what is the Gunners' second home game of the 2020/21 season?
Well, it looks like that won't be the case if Ozil's Instagram is are anything to go by.
Usually, when the playmaker is in a matchday squad, he takes to social media and does his best to hype up the upcoming game.
He did this on several occasions last season for games against the likes of Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, a home clash in the Premier League against Wolves as well as Mikel Arteta's first game in charge away at Bournemouth.
Surprisingly he has not been active on Instagram ahead of the clash against the Blades, which would suggest Ozil has not made a matchday squad yet again.
So, barring a surprise, it looks like Ozil won't be making his return to the fold this afternoon and that's despite catching the eye in recent training sessions.
"I think they have all been training really, really well and the spirit at the training ground is great and we are happy because everyone is pushing each other, so let's try to maintain that," Arteta told reporters last month.
