The manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has contracted coronavirus. The Spanish tactician tested positive for the virus less than three days to the kick-off of the Premier League game between his team and Manchester City.
On January 1, 2021, coach Pep Guardiola is expected to lead Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium to take on the in-form Arsenal football club.
Mikel Arteta and his team have been enjoying a great run of form. They have won all their last five games in all competitions. Their latest win was a 5-0 away win over Norwich City on December 26, 2021.
Their superb run of form has taken them to the 4th spot on the league table with 35 points in 19 games after 6 defeats, 2 draws, and eleven victories.
On the other hand, Manchester City have been unstoppable so far this season. They have recorded just two defeats and two draws in 19 Premier League games. Their great form has taken Guardiola and his boys to the top of the league table with 47 points.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, the London-based club would face the reigning Premier League champions without coach Mikel Arteta who seems to have discovered the method to make Arsenal a team to be reckoned with in the Premier League once again.
A statement from Arsenal read: “Mikel Arteta will miss our match against Manchester City on New Year’s Day after testing positive for Covid-19.
“Mikel is isolating in line with Government guidelines and we wish him well.”
🚨 Mikel Arteta will miss our match against Manchester City on New Year’s Day, after testing positive for COVID-19
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 29, 2021
All things being equal, Mikel Arteta who celebrated his two years reign as arsenal coach with a 5-0 win over Norwich City on Sunday is expected to be healthy enough to lead Arsenal against Liverpool in an EFL semi-final game on January 6, 2022.
In Mikel Arteta’s absence, Arsenal will be led on the touchline by the coach’s assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg.
Meanwhile, Chelsea legendary defender, John Terry has returned to the club but this time around, he would serve as a coaching consultant at the club’s academy.
The job of the former captain of Chelsea and the Three Lions of England at Chelsea’s academy includes on-field coaching, contributing to coaching discussions with colleagues, mentoring academy players, and supporting parent dialogue.
Before he returned to Chelsea, John Terry who is also a product of Chelsea’s academy, served as an assistant coach at Aston Villa. He decided to leave Aston Villa last summer in his pursuit of becoming a football manager.
While he awaits the right club to start his full-time managerial career, he will join Chelsea’s academy in January as a coaching consultant in a part-time capacity.
“This flexibility is beneficial for both John and the academy, as it allows him to continue to develop his coaching skills alongside other commitments while being used optimally within our development programme,” a statement from Chelsea said.
I’m delighted to announce that I’m coming home, and have taken up a consultancy role @ChelseaFC academy. As well as delivering on field coaching sessions I will be involved in coaching discussions and mentoring our academy players.💙⚽️ pic.twitter.com/dLW8gnXlxp
— John Terry (@JohnTerry26) December 29, 2021
