Arsenal's Mesut Ozil Questioned by Police After Photographer Hit By Car

Arsenal's record signing Mesut Ozil could face an extended spell out of the first team after being questioned by police in connection with an incident which saw a photographer hit by a car.

The incident, which took place on Friday night prior to the Gunners' 4-0 win over Sunderland, saw a man in his thirties suffer minor injuries while officers have since spoken with Ozil.

Manager Arsene Wenger had already decided to rest Ozil from the Premier League game against Sunderland after a poor run of form, but the German international could now face a further spell out of the team following this off-field incident.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 7.18pm on Friday 21 February to reports of an alleged collision between a vehicle and a member of the public in Sheldon Avenue N6.

"The member of the public, a man in his thirties, sustained minor injuries. Officers have spoken to the driver of the vehicle."

Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid for £42m in August but despite enjoying a good start to life in English football, he has endured a difficult run of form which included a missed penalty in the Champions League last 16 tie against Bayern Munich last week.

The 25-year-old was left out of the Arsenal squad for the weekend visit of Sunderland and returned home to Germany to give him a break from harrowing problems on and off the pitch. The police scrutiny throws into doubt his participation in the weekend's FA Cup quarter-final against Stoke City.

Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla have also been given the opportunity to return home ahead of a run of games which could define Arsenal's season.

Following the cup trip to Stoke, Arsenal host Everton in the Premier League and travel to Bayern for the Champions League last 16 second leg prior to facing Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City before the end of March.