Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus and the club’s game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday has been postponed.
The Gunners have closed their training ground and club staff who had recent contact with Arteta will now self-isolate.
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The Premier League will hold “an emergency club meeting” on Friday to discuss future fixtures.
“This is really disappointing,” Arteta, 37, said.
“I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”
Arsenal expects a “significant number of people” will self-isolate, including the “full first-team squad”.
The club were due to face Brighton in the Premier League at Amex Stadium on Saturday but Brighton released a statement, shortly after confirmation of Arteta’s positive test, announcing that the game had been called off.
BBC Sport understands all 20 Premier League clubs want to decide on a unified strategy, and one of the possible options that will be discussed at the meeting is postponing the rest of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures.
Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: “The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is.”
“We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”
Arsenal’s Premier League match with Manchester City on Wednesday was postponed as a “precautionary measure” and several Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted coronavirus.
Arsenal said Marinakis, 52, met a number of their players when the Gunners hosted the Greek side in a Europa League match two weeks ago.
The club said no players or staff would be tested for coronavirus.
Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is self-isolating as a precaution after a member of his family was admitted to hospital displaying symptoms of coronavirus.
Three Leicester City first-team players have also self-isolated after showing symptoms of coronavirus.
3 Comments
Nawaooo!
May God see us thru…
This COVID-19 is no respecter of persons. Shocked to hear that Arteta tested positive. Heard also that the American actor Tom Hanks and his wife are also infected.
All we can do is practice preventive measures:
1) Wash your hands frequently.
2) Don’t touch your face, nose or mouth with your hands.
3) Stay 2 meters away from someone exhibiting symptoms.
4) Eat foods that boost your immune system.
And pray! May God help us all.
PSALM 91 N FOCUS ON JESUS CHRIST IS THE ANSWER TO THIS NONESENSE EVIL CONAVIRUS.. PRAY IT EVERYTIME N GET IT TO BECOME PART OF YOU. Eliminate every element of fear ( key to open us up for evil visitation)…