A man involved in the attempted robbery of Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac has been given a 10 year prison sentence.
Ashley Smith was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Friday, after earlier pleading guilty to attempted robbery and possession of class B drugs on October 3rd.
A second man, Jordan Northover, also pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, will be sentenced at a later date.
CCTV images showed one of the duo approach midfielder Kolasinac with a sharp object while demanding that he take off his watch, however the Arsenal man was able to stand his ground and get back into the car with Ozil before the duo drove off.
Both players got away uninjured, but were forced to miss the opening games of the season following concerns over their personal security.
Speaking following the sentence was passed, Chief Inspector Jim Corbett told the Metropolitan Police website:
“We are delighted to have secured such a significant sentence.
“Those involved in moped-enabled offending should look at this and decide if they too want to spend the best years of their life in prison, because that is the message that this sends out. Offenders feel that because they wear a helmet, or disguise the appearance of a moped or motorcycle that we will not identify who they are. But we can and we do, as evidenced in this case.
“I would like to thank the members of the public who came forward with vital information. It shows that one call can make all the difference, what ever the crime. Also my team, who have worked tirelessly to secure todays conviction."
