That worrying security episode involving Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac would have affected the whole Arsenal squad.
You couldn’t blame players for fretting about off-the-field dangers that have never happened in this country before.
For that reason, Unai Emery must be mightily relieved that the situation seems to have calmed down. Ozil and Kolasinac are now back in training, which must go down as a positive sign.
The alternative, after all, didn’t bear thinking about. Because if the two players didn’t want to stay in England due to safety concerns, that would send a tremor through the whole of football.
Thankfully, there is nothing like a match to focus minds and the next one deserves special attention.
If Arsenal’s defence can deal with Burnley’s forthright strikers, Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood, who love a good scrap, it would generate useful confidence for the weeks ahead.
