According to reports, Arsenal’s head coach Mike Arteta has tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19). The 37 years old Arsenal manager was sick and has symptoms related to coronavirus, upon testing, it was determined that he was infected and he will be monitored closely.
A few days ago, Futballnews reported that Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, 52 tested positive to coronavirus and he came in contact with Arsenal players and coaches. A few days later, Mikel Arteta also tested positive for the virus.
Coronavirus: Arsenal Players Quarantined, Man City Clash Postponed.
Arsenal has ordered all staff and players that came in contact with Mikel Arteta to self-quarantine until further notices.
Also, the Premier League plans to hold “an emergency club meeting” on Friday to discuss future fixtures.
Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham said “This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly,” said Spaniard Arteta, 37. “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 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.” He added.
Arsenal is due to play at Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, however, the match may be canceled due to the coronavirus epidemic.
More updates coming soon.
Arsenal issued this statement earlier today ” Our London Colney training center has been closed after head coach Mikel Arteta received a positive COVID-19 result this evening.
Arsenal personnel who had recent close contact with Mikel will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines. We expect this to be a significant number of people from Colney, including the full first-team squad and coaching staff, as well as a smaller number of people from our Hale End Academy which we have also temporarily closed as a precaution.
We expect those who did not have close contact with Mikel to return to work in the coming days. In the meantime, our Colney and Hale End training centers will undergo a deep clean and our other club sites are operating as normal.
Managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: “The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is. Our thoughts are with Mikel who is disappointed but in good spirits. 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.”
Head of football Raul Sanllehi added: “Mikel and the full first-team squad, players and staff, will be fully supported, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows. Obviously Mikel’s full recovery is the priority now for us all.”
We will work with Public Health England on the next steps in regard to our facilities and staff, and with the Premier League, Football Association and relevant clubs around our forthcoming matches in the Premier League and Emirates FA Cup.
It is clear we will not be able to play some fixtures on their currently scheduled dates. We will update supporters who have tickets for forthcoming games with more information as soon as possible.
We are now working to trace any other people who have had recent close contact with Mikel. We will let them know what has happened and they should follow the NHS guidance which is likely to recommend self-isolation.
Mikel said: “This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”
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