Mesut Ozil quizzed by police after 'car hits photographer'

IT NEVER rains but it pours for under fire Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil. On the same day that Jack Wilshere leapt to the defence of his team-mate, criticised for a string of lacklustre performances, comes the news that the Gunners' record signing is being investigated by police after an allegation he drove his car into a photographer.

According to the Daily Star, the German international received a visit from the police on Friday evening after reports "he drove his high-powered SUV and hit the snapper".

The paper, which carries pictures of the incident, says that Ozil allegedly hit the photographer as he attempted to take pictures close to his home in north London. According to the Star, the professional photographer "was struck on the arm" by Ozil's car and the player then drove off without stopping.

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An ambulance was called and officers from Haringey police also arrived on the scene. A police spokesman has since issued a statement in which they confirmed that they received a call on Friday evening following an alleged collision between a vehicle and a member of the public. "The member of the public suffered minor injuries," say police.

According to The Guardian, no arrests have been made but the investigation is "continuing".

The alleged incident occurred just 48 hours after Ozil's woeful display against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a performance that included a missed penalty and, more worryingly, signs that Arsenal's record signing is struggling to fit in at the Emirates since arriving in a £42.5m deal from Real Madrid last summer.

Former Germany captain Michael Ballack claimed after the match that Ozil "does not have the acceptance of the team" and expressed his belief that his compatriot "looks a bit lost" at Arsenal.

But, despite the latest controversy, Jack Wilshere has rubbished Ballack's comments, reassuring Arsenal fans that all is well. "Mesut is fine, he is a great character," said Wilshere, who explained that a minor injury forced the German to sit out Arsenal's win against Sunderland on Saturday. "He has got a dead leg which is not nice, but he was in the dressing room helping the boys, talking to everyone... he is a great talent and is up there with the best in the world and he will be all right."