EMERY’S RAP FOR HIPPY CRACK STARS
Arsenal angry…but they knew of party night
ARSENAL manager Unai Emery will reprimand the players involved in English football’s latest hippy crack controversy.
Emery, who is reputedly a strict disciplinarian, will warn his players about their conduct after the revelations in the Sun yesterday.
Its pictures showed Mesut Ozil, Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and 19-yearold Matteo Guendouzi using balloons to inhale nitrous oxide — which is a legal high but can cause dangerous side- effects — at a party in London in August.
On what seems to be CCTV footage, Ozil appears to fall semiconscious after inhaling from a balloon, while Guendouzi (below) looks to lose consciousness altogether during what is claimed was a private party at the exclusive Tape club in London’s West End. The footage has landed the stars in hot water, and those involved will be carpeted over their behaviour. A club spokesman said: ‘The players will be spoken to about this and reminded of their responsibilities as representatives of the club.’
But while Arsenal and their manager have taken a dim view, there was a plea from The Emirates for perspective.
It is believed the night out was planned, with club officials knowing about the players’ party.
There is also a belief at the club that players had attempted to be discreet by requesting a private room at the nightspot.
Emery is likely to play the incident down when he is asked about it for the first time at today’s match against Huddersfield. The Spaniard is determined to ensure his players won’t lose focus before the match, which could see Arsenal extend their unbeaten run to 21 games. While some discussions over the issue took place yesterday, Emery will draw a line under the matter after today following talks with those involved.
Emery will decide on any potential formal disciplinary sanctions, though the club are adamant they will stay private.
In another blow, Arsenal have confirmed Rob Holding is out for up to nine months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
exclusively revealed the extent of the injury on Thursday. The defender was taken off on a stretcher during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Wednesday night.
The news comes at a time when Holding was emerging as a serious candidate to break into Gareth Southgate’s England squad following a string of excellent displays.
England medics will ask to be kept updated on Holding’s recovery. Their next fixtures are in March, when they kick off their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.
Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, who made his full Premier League debut in Wednesday’s win over Chelsea, is also in Southgate’s thoughts ahead of next year’s games.
England are also watching Brighton attacker Solly March, who has three Under 21 caps.