This archive report was first published on 11 August 2019.
On August 11, Arsenal will face Newcastle in their Premier League opener, but two key players will be missing from the squad.
According to a statement from the club, Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac will not be part of the team due to further security incidents that are being investigated by the police.
The decision comes after the two players were targeted in a car-jacking incident in north-west London last month. In the incident, a knife-wielding gang attempted to steal Ozil's Mercedes jeep, but Kolasinac confronted the gang, and both players escaped unhurt.
Although neither Ozil nor Kolasinac played in Arsenal's Emirates Cup defeat to Lyon the following weekend, they were expected to play a role in the season opener. However, the club has now confirmed that they will not be part of the squad.
Two men were arrested outside Ozil's house in connection with the security threats facing the Arsenal stars. The men were apprehended after being involved in an altercation with security staff who have been guarding Ozil's home.
As the club looks forward to welcoming the players back to the squad as soon as possible, fans are left wondering what the future holds for Ozil and Kolasinac.
