IT'S OFF
Arsenal’s game with Brighton on Saturday POSTPONED after Mikel Arteta tests positive for coronavirus
BRIGHTON have announced that their game with Arsenal on Saturday has been POSTPONED in light of Mikel Arteta testing positive for coronavirus.
The fixture is the first game of the weekend to be called off.
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Premier League chiefs are set for an emergency meeting on Friday morning to decide whether the rest of the fixtures will be played.
A statement read: “In light of the news that broke earlier on Thursday evening concerning Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and his first-team squad, we can confirm that Saturday’s match against Arsenal has now been postponed.
"Arsenal confirmed on Thursday night that their head coach has tested positive for the coronavirus, and that their entire first-team squad are now self-isolating.
"Chief executive Paul Barber commented: 'First and foremost our thoughts are with Mikel Arteta and we wish him a speedy recovery.
"'It’s absolutely essential the health and wellbeing of individuals takes priority and with that in mind Saturday’s match has been postponed.
"'We apologise to all fans for any inconvenience but trust everyone will understand that we are all facing an unprecedented situation.
"'The Premier League has announced this evening that they will convene an emergency meeting of all clubs tomorrow morning, and we will update supporters on future fixtures as and when we are in a position to do so.'"
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Arteta, 37, confirmed he'd tested positive after "feeling poorly".
The entire first-team squad, coaches and support staff will now be placed in isolation for 12 days, while their London Colney training centre has been closed.
He said: "This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly.
"I will be at work as soon as I'm allowed."
A club statement said: "Arsenal personnel who had recent close contact with Mikel will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines.
"We expect this to be a significant number of people from Colney, including the full first-team squad and coaching staff."
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Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: "The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is.
"Our thoughts are with Mikel who is disappointed but in good spirits. 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 club have stressed that the Spaniard has had no contact with Olympiakos owner Evengelos Marinakis, with the source of his infection remaining a mystery.
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