Arsenal legend Michael Thomas scored a real own goal when he gave a false name to police...which turned out to be that of a wanted burglar.
The 40-year-old footballer - who famously netted against Liverpool at Anfield in the last minute of the 1989 season to win Arsenal the old First Division - was a passenger in a car when it was stopped by officers checking drivers' insurance.
When Thomas, who was carrying a large sum in cash, was asked who he was he bizarrely gave the name of a wanted man. He was arrested and taken to Chingford police station in East London where he was questioned for two hours before being released without charge. A police source said: "Thomas was in a car that was stopped as part of a routine check. When he said his name was that of a wanted burglar he was obviously arrested.
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"Nobody could believe it when he suddenly said, 'Actually I'm Michael Thomas'. We hear things like that all of the time and thought he was having a laugh." Thomas claims officers told him that he was targeted for "being a black man who appeared to have lots of money". He is considering making an official complaint.
Thomas was signed as a schoolboy for Arsenal in 1982 and made his first-team debut in 1987. He joined Liverpool in 1991 and helped them to two FA Cups and a League Cup.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed: "A 40-year-old man was stopped by officers at 1.40pm on Thursday and was taken to Chingford Police Station. The man has been released with no further action."
