Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac to miss Arsenal vs Newcastle after “further security incidents”


Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac to miss Arsenal vs Newcastle after "further security incidents"

Both Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac are out of Arsenal’s opening Premier League fixture at Newcastle United on Sunday.

Neither man has been considered for the meeting at St James’ Park this weekend, the club have confirmed, following what have been described as “further security incidents”.

It comes just two weeks after the pair were attacked by knife-wielding motorbike riders in Golder’s Green, north west London, in a suspected robbery attempt.

An Arsenal statement declared: “Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will not be part of the squad for our opening match against Newcastle United following further security incidents which are being investigated by the police.

“The welfare of our players and their families is always a top priority and we have taken this decision following discussion with the players and their representatives.



The duo, close friends, will not play at Newcastle on Sunday

“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 son as possible.

“We will not be making any further comment on the matter.”

Footage last month showed the pair come under attack by knife-wielding thugs on mopeds – with Kolasinac fending off the assailants.



The incident in which a moped pulled up and the pair were confronted with a knife

One man waved a knife at the Bosnian international while another, wearing a helmet, was chased away by the ex-Schalke man.

Police, who had received reports of an attempted robbery, went to Platts Lane, in north west London, shortly before 5pm on July 26.



Kolasinac comes under attack and exits the vehicle



Kolasinac fights off the assailant

Kolasinac was standing outside the vehicle talking to Ozil, in the car with his wife, Amine, when the incident occurred; Ozil quickly drove both women from the scene to a nearby restaurant often frequented by the pair.

Restaurant owner Yasmin Tahsimer revealed: “He called me while they were being chased and said ‘come out, call the police please’.

“When they were chasing Ozil’s car they were throwing big bricks at it and using a Long metal pole. They damaged the car. The wives were inside and were frightened and scared.



The incident occurred shortly after the players had returned from the club’s US tour

“We didn’t at first of all understand what was happening, then we saw the motorbike passing and realised it was serious.

“They has been chased for about 5 or 10mins around Golders Green and Hampstead. It was frightening. They were throwing bricks at the car and had. A big metal pole.

“It happened outside Sead’s house. He tried to defend himself. It was scary.

“Incredibly, despite what the players went through, Yasmin said they were very calm explaining: They weren’t shaken. They were fine. Sead is a hero.”

One eyewitness stated that roof tiles were thrown at Ozil’s £100,000 G-Wagon. Ozil stated the following day that the pair were “doing well again” after the incident.



Ozil played in the club’s most-recent friendly, against Barcelona last weekend

Arsenal had beefed up security around the duo following the incident, while World Cup winner Ozil had also hired minders to protect his property since the incident.

Ozil and Kolasinac played in Arsenal’s final pre-season friendly against Barcelona at Camp Nou last weekend.

But it’s understood neither man trained on Friday, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League opener following a further security threat.

More to follow…


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