What is going on with Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac?
Reports the pair are caught in the middle of a dispute between rival gangs
Arsenal footballers Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac have been caught in the middle of a gang dispute, according to reports.
Last month, the two players were the victims of a carjacking attempt by an armed gang on mopeds and the pair missed the Gunners’ match at Newcastle United yesterday because of “further security incidents”.
It is now reported that they are under 24-hour security amid fears that they are caught up in a war between rival gangs. Two men were arrested after turning up at Ozil’s home near Hampstead Heath, north London, on Thursday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It is believed that the men had an altercation with the footballer’s security staff and were being held on suspected public order offences. Incidents were reported outside Kolasinac’s home, also in north London. There are also claims that the families of Ozil and Kolasinac have been targeted online.
The Times says that “unknown to the footballers, eastern European gangsters are believed to have warned against any future attacks on the pair,” leading to an escalation of threats by a rival gang.
The Sun on Sunday quotes a source as saying: “Word came back from the other gangsters that they would not be intimidated. To show they were serious, the thugs issued more threats to the Arsenal players and refused to be cowed. It was thought that originally the robbers wanted their watches but now they have been told that they want everything the pair have.”
The two players missed yesterday’s game after police said that they had received “credible threats”. They were given permission to remain with their families in London. The decision not to play them for this reason is believed to be unprecedented in English football.
Unai Emery, Arsenal’s manager, said: “The welfare of our players and their families is always a top priority and we have taken this decision following discussion with the players.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shooting
Speed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
By The Week Staff Published
-
Texas school shooting: parents turn anger on police
Speed Read Officers had to be urged to enter building where gunman killed 21 people
By The Week Staff Published
-
DJ Tim Westwood denies multiple sexual misconduct allegations
Speed Read At least seven women accuse the radio and TV presenter of predatory behaviour dating back three decades
By The Week Staff Published
-
What happened to Katie Kenyon?
Speed Read Man charged as police search for missing 33-year-old last seen getting into van
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Brooklyn subway shooting: exploring New York’s ‘steep decline in law and order’
Speed Read Last week, a gunman set off smoke bombs and opened fire on a rush-hour train in the city
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
How the Capitol attack investigation is splitting the Republicans
Speed Read Vote to censure two Republican representatives has revealed deep divisions within party
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is sentencing a Nazi sympathiser to read Shakespeare an appropriate punishment?
Speed Read Judge seemed to think introducing student ‘to high culture’ would ‘magically make him a better person’ said The Daily Telegraph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sarah Everard’s murder: a national reckoning?
Speed Read Wayne Couzen’s guilty plea doesn’t ‘tidy away the reality of sexual violence’
By The Week Staff Last updated