Skip to content

Emery: Ozil, Kolasinac can return after security threats

Stuart MacFarlane / Arsenal FC / Getty

Arsenal manager Unai Emery said he's able to reinstall Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac to his matchday roster and confirmed their returns to the Colney training pitches.

The pair sat out the Gunners' season-opening 1-0 win at Newcastle United last Sunday after "further security incidents" following July's failed carjacking attempt of the players by an armed gang. Police confirmed Sunday that two men have since been charged with a public order offense, with reports suggesting those men were involved in an altercation outside Ozil's north London home.

Emery said in Thursday's press conference that Ozil and Kolasinac are now working with the squad prior to Saturday's match against Burnley, in quotes published by BBC Sport.

"My focus is to be positive and think the players are 100 percent with their mind here," the manager stated. "I want to help them to be with us, back to normal training, thinking about football. Above all, I want them to be able to focus on each training session and each match."

He added: "Am I pleased that they're back? Of course. For us, for me, first they're a person and second they're a player."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox