Mikel Arteta And Arsenal Keep Thinking Positive Amid COVID-19 Surge

Mikel Arteta/photo via Instagram arsenal

JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta emphasized that he and the entire Arsenal squad remain positive in the midst of a surge in COVID-19 cases that have disrupted the course of the English Premier League competition in recent weeks.

Last weekend, six of the ten scheduled matches had to be suspended due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the squads of several clubs, leaving at least ten games to suffer the same fate throughout the month of December.

In the midst of that situation, Arsenal continued their positive trend by picking up three consecutive wins after beating host Leeds United 4-1 in the trip to Elland Road on Saturday, 18 December.

According to Arteta, with many games even having to be suspended just hours before kick-off, all teams must be prepared to deal with "the unexpected".

"Obviously it's difficult for the players, myself and the coaching staff," Arteta said.

"Because we don't really know who can do what, and we're all trying to help each other out of this situation."

All of that continued Arteta, his team must face with a cool head and reduce the attitude of complaining about everything that happens.

"We know what might happen, there is a possibility of bad news coming but we can prepare for it and prevent it with all applicable protocols," he said.

"But, we still have to be ready with everything if we have to take plans B, C, or D," concluded Arteta.

Arteta is scheduled to accompany Arsenal to host third-tier team Sunderland in the English League Cup quarter-final match at the Emirates, London, on Tuesday local time (Wednesday, western Indonesia time).

The UK government reported 91,473 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, the second highest figure since the pandemic began, following the rapid spread of the omicron variant.