Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Infected with Coronavirus, Squad at Risk

The Premier League will hold an emergency meeting on Friday morning regarding whether this weekend’s fixtures will go ahead.

This comes after it emerged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus.

Arteta in self isolation after testing positive on Thursday

It was announced that the top flight’s fixtures would go ahead this weekend despite many leagues across the world suspending their fixtures due to the disease.

However, the Gunners announced minutes later that Arteta has been infected.

“In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first-team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures,” the Premier League said in a statement.

Arsenal squad in self-isolation as precaution

“The Premier League will make no further comment until after that meeting.”

In a statement released by Arsenal, the club revealed that a ‘significant amount of people’ – including first-team players and several members of staff – will now self-isolate.


The Premier League could change its mind on letting this weekend’s fixtures go ahead
The Premier League could change its mind on letting this weekend’s fixtures go ahead

“The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is,” said club managing director Vinai Venkatesham.

“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.”

The UK government said on Wednesday it is considering banning large public events such as sporting fixtures but will not do so yet.

However, Championship, League One and League Two matches are yet to be suspended with the EFL announcing that matches in the second, third and fourth tiers this weekend would still be happening.