Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac out of Arsenal opener after ‘further security incidents’
MESUT OZIL and Sead Kolasinac will be absent from the inaugural Arsenal Premier League match against Newcastle on Sunday due to security concerns.
Mesut Ozil and Kolasinac were involved in an attempted car theft in North London at the end of last month.
A band of armed mopeds slipped over the duo, who was with their wives at the time, and tried to steal their possessions.
Kolasinac fought one of the attackers, who was holding a knife, before Ozil led the other half, him and his teammate, to a safe place.
However, Arsenal has revealed that the couple has been the subject of more security concerns and has chosen to leave them out of their squad of the day for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.
A statement from the club said: “Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will not be part of the team for our inaugural match against Newcastle United after other security incidents being investigated by the police.
Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will miss Arsenal’s Premier League opener
“The well-being of our players and families is a top priority and we have made this decision after an argument with the players and their representatives.
“We are renting with the police and we are providing continuous support to the players and their families.
“We hope to welcome the players back to the team as soon as possible.
“We will not comment further.”
The absences of Ozil and Kolasinac will pave the way for the new Gunners, Dani Ceballos and Nacho Monreal, to start against the Magpies.
Despite being without the services of the couple, manager Unai Emery will expect his team to keep comfortable winners against Steve Bruce’s men.