Manchester City players to undergo another round of coronavirus test on Thursday, December 31, a day after the club’s training ground was reopened.
Recall that Manchester City Premier League game against Everton was postponed due to a high number of coronavirus cases at the club. The news of the postponement came hours after the Premier League announced that 18 players and staff in the league have been confirmed carriers of the virus in the latest round of testing. Afterward, City’s training ground was closed temporarily.
The game became the third league match of the 2020-2021 season that had to be postponed within the space of a month due to the raging coronavirus pandemic.
To further ascertain that the Manchester City squad is healthy enough to face another club, all players at the club had to be tested again today and the result of the test is expected to be out on new year’s day.
No matter the outcome of the test, all the players will be tested again on Saturday ahead of their Premier League match against Chelsea scheduled for Sunday, January 3, 2021, at 17:30. If the outcome of the test is not favorable, the league match would be postponed again.
So far in the camp of Manchester City, only Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus are known to be the carriers of the virus while the identities of others are still unknown. All those who have tested positive for the virus are observing 10-days self-isolation which will last until they return two negatives successively.
NEWS | First team training to resume this afternoon.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2020
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5rehttps://t.co/bw5jOgPY5q
Meanwhile, the coach of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has hailed Bukayo Saka for being a good example to the rest of his teammates. He praised the 19-year-old English versatile footballer for his commitment and courage.
Bukayo Saka who is a product of Arsenal football academy has been extraordinary in Arsenal’s last two Premier League games. He practically won the two games for the club which was struggling before the club’s 3-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, December 26.
The effort of the youngster which has seen him scored a goal and provided an assist has lifted the club from the 15th spot to the 13th spot on the league table.
“For me, the biggest thing that he’s done in the past few months is the personality that he plays with and the responsibility he takes,” Mikel Arteta said ahead of West Brom vs Arsenal league match scheduled for Saturday, January 2, at 21:00.
“Also the decisions he’s willing to make when things are not going well and the impact he’s had on the team to get results. That’s in his nature and he wants to evolve that.
“You can see his team-mates trust him, they still want to give him that responsibility and that’s great. He’s a great example to any young player to play with that commitment, that passion but as well, with that courage you need when you play for a big team.”
Saka 🤝 Laca
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 29, 2020
✅ #BHAARS pic.twitter.com/EL2iLFUwck
