Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is ‘feeling better already’ after testing positive for coronavirus and has praised the decision to suspend the English League.
The Gunners confirmed on Thursday that Arteta had contracted COVID-19 and that the club was now in lockdown to prevent its spread.
Shortly after the announcement, the Premier League postponed Saturday’s game between Arsenal and Brighton and confirmed they would be holding an emergency meeting with all clubs on Friday.
This morning, the Premier League confirmed all of this weekend’s fixtures would be called off and all professional football in England suspended until at April due to coronavirus.
Arsenal head coach Arteta has praised the decision to suspend the Premier League, tweeting on Friday: ‘Thanks for your words and support. Feeling better already.
‘We’re all facing a huge & unprecedented challenge. Everyone’s health is all that matters right now.
‘Protect each other by following the guidelines & we’ll come through this together.Well done PL for making the right decisions.’
Arsenal said on Thursday that they expected a ‘significant number of people’ associated with the club to self-isolate, which includes the first-team squad.
‘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 at Arsenal, Raul Sanllehi, said: ‘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.’
