Mikel Arteta, coach of FC Arsenal, is tested positive for the corona virus. This means that the Premier League games are also in danger of being cancelled.
Breaking news in the Premier League: Mikel Arteta, coach of FC Arsenal, has tested positive for the coronavirus. This was reported by the Gunners in an official statement on Thursday evening.
“It’s very disappointing,” Arteta said. “I took the test when I wasn’t feeling well. I will return to work as soon as I can.”
As the club further announced, the entire coaching staff and the professional squad around Mesut Özil and Shkodran Mustafi as well as goalkeeper Bernd Leno will be quarantined as a result. The training centre has been temporarily closed and will be disinfected.
Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: “The health of our players and the general public is a priority for us. Our thoughts are with Mikel, who is disappointed but in good spirits. We are in active dialogue with all relevant people to deal with this situation appropriately and look forward to training and playing again as soon as medical advice allows”.
Premier League calls emergency meeting
In response to this news, the Premier League called an emergency meeting to be held on Friday morning. The subject: the league’s further action in the wake of recent developments. Due to the risk of contagion, scenarios similar to those in La Liga and Serie A seem likely. Play has been temporarily suspended there.
Due to the corona virus, the Premier League catch-up match between Arsenal and Manchester City on Wednesday had already been cancelled. Background: Two weeks ago, the Gunners played in the Europa League at Olympiakos Piraeus. Various players there had contact with Piraeus president Evangelos Marinakis, who has since tested positive for Corona.
As a reaction, the players in question went into quarantine. According to the club, this included four other employees. It is possible that Arteta was among them.