Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka tests positive for Covid-19 after refusing vaccine despite Swiss FA recommending it
ARSENAL star Granit Xhaka has tested positive for coronavirus - having refused to get the vaccine.
Xhaka received the result while on international duty with Switzerland.
And he will miss his country's upcoming World Cup qualifiers after going into isolation.
The news was confirmed by the Swiss FA on Wednesday ahead of Wednesday night's game against Greece.
It was also revealed that Xhaka is the only member of the Switzerland team to not have been either vaccinated or having recovered from Covid after he 'decided for himself personally' not to get it.
Xhaka will now have to self-isolate for 10 days in his home country.
And the playmaker is also set to miss matches against Italy and Northern Ireland.
However, as he is already suspended for Arsenal's next game against Norwich after being sent off in the 5-0 defeat at Man City, Xhaka has until September 18 to be ready for the Gunners when they travel to Burnley.
A statement from the Swiss FA read: "Xhaka was diagnosed with symptoms on the morning of the game and was immediately isolated in his room.
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“A quick test turned out negative, the subsequent PCR test, carried out to be on the safe side, produced a positive result in the evening."
Swiss football chief “Granit Xhaka was not vaccinated. He's a player who isn't vaccinated.
"We left this up to each player, it's a personal decision of each player - just like any other person in Switzerland. We have issued a recommendation that everyone vaccinate.
"But he decided for himself personally. And it is also his right not to be vaccinated."
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Arnold added: “All the other players in the team have been vaccinated or have recovered [from Covid] – so they are more or less safe, at least from a medical point of view.
"One is never quite sure. Accordingly, we have a very high vaccination rate. Now, unfortunately, Granit got caught.
"From a sporting point of view, it is a shame for us at this important moment.”
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