Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac dropped by Arsenal for Premier League opener in Newcastle after ‘several incidents involving them near their homes’ following chase with armed carjackers
- There are fresh security concerns surrounding Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac
- They have been left out of the Arsenal squad for the match against Newcastle
- The players were confronted by two armed attackers on a moped in July
Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will not be part of the Arsenal squad to play Newcastle United tomorrow following ‘further security incidents’ which are being investigated by the police.
It comes two weeks after the Premier League pair were attacked by knife-wielding thugs on mopeds in north west London, and reports last night suggested the pair have been targeted in separate incidents over the past few days.
Footage of the suspected carjacking attempt showed Kolasinac jumping out of Ozil’s 4×4 Mercedes G-Class to fight off the two men.
Sead Kolasinac and Mesut Ozil have been left out of the Arsenal squad for the Newcastle game
Both avoided injury and played in the club’s final pre-season friendly against Barcelona but in a statement last night, Arsenal confirmed neither would travel to St James’ Park.
‘there have been several incidents in recent days involving Ozil and Kolasinac in the area near their homes,’ according to reporter James Benge on Twitter. ‘Both players are unharmed and safe.’
‘The welfare of our players and their families is always a top priority,’ said the club. ‘We have taken this decision following discussion with the players and their representatives. We are liaising with the police and are providing the players and their families with ongoing support.
‘We look forward to welcoming the players back to the squad as soon as possible.’
In the aftermath of the attack, both Ozil, 30, and Kolasinac, 26, had been training at the club’s London Colney base as usual. They also took part in a pre-season photoshoot this week.
As the front passenger-side door of the vehicle hung precariously open with Ozil inside, Kolasinac could be seen facing off one of the attackers who appeared to be wielding a blade
Kolasinac was seen darting from the front end of the car to the rear as he faced off the assailants while protecting the passenger side door of the SUV
Kolasinac tweeted a picture of himself and Ozil the day after the attack and wrote: ‘Think we’re fine.’ Ozil added on social media: ‘Sead, my wife Amine and me are doing well again after yesterday’s incident in London. Thanks for all your supporting messages guys.’
After Kolasinac tried to fight off the attackers, who had their faces hidden by helmets and were riding mopeds apparently without registration plates, the players were believed to be pursued.
World Cup winner Ozil drove to a nearby Turkish restaurant Likya, where staff tried to help.
One person who witnessed the incident told the Mail: ‘Ozil looked absolutely terrified, as anybody would after being chased by men with knives. He was running for his life.’
Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac’s terrifying route through north London last month as two motorbike engines revved behind Ozil’s G-Wagon
‘As soon as the restaurant staff started to come to the window and to the doorway, the gang turned around and roared off.’
Arsenal offered the players psychological support following the attack. Manager Unai Emery also spoke to them both, and was expected to select them to face Newcastle away tomorrow.
Ozil and Kolasinac were not the first London-based footballers to be targeted on the road. In 2016, West Ham striker Andy Carroll was threatened at gunpoint on his way home from training.
