Arsenal Training Center Closed After Arteta Tested Positive For COVID-19

Mikel Arteta (Twitter @RadioCitizenFM)

JAKARTA - Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta tested positive for COVID-19 or the corona virus on Thursday, March 12 evening local time. Through its official Instagram account, Friday morning WIB, Arsenal announced that personnel who had recently been in close contact with Arteta at the Colney Training Center would self-isolate in accordance with government health guidelines.

It is estimated that the number is quite large from Colney, including the first team squad, coaching staff, and a number of people from the Hale End Academy who have also been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. Those who did not have close contact with Mikel Arteta are expected to return to work in the next few days.

"Meanwhile our Colney and Hale End training centers will undergo a detailed cleaning and other club-owned locations will be operating normally.

"The health of our people and the wider community is our priority and that is our focus. Our sympathies for a disappointed Mikel but in good spirits. We are in active dialogue with all relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and We look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as possible according to medical advice, "Manging Director Vinai Venkatesham said in a statement on Arsenal's Instagram.

Head of Football Raul Sanilehi added that Arteta and the entire first team squad, players and staff will be fully supported and are expected to train and play again immediately after medical advice, and Arteta's full recovery is a priority.

Arsenal will also work closely with Public Health England for next steps with respect to facilities and staff as well as with the Premier League, Football Association (FA) and clubs regarding upcoming matches in the Premier League and FA Cup.

"Obviously we will not be able to play some of the matches on the current schedule. We will update the supporters who have bought tickets for the upcoming matches with more information as soon as possible." said the statement.

Leicester Isolating Three Players

Meanwhile from Leicester, coach Brendan Rodgers said three of his players were isolated after showing symptoms of contracting the corona virus and had been separated from the rest of the team.

However, the coach from Northern Ireland did not reveal the names of the players who were isolated and added that the club had followed procedures prescribed by the British government.

The Foxes are scheduled to play against Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Saturday night WIB.

"We have several players who are showing symptoms and signs (COVID-19)," said Rodgers, in a statement on Leicester City's Instagram account, Thursday local time.

"It would be a shame (if the Watford game was postponed), but public health is paramount in all of this."

Asked if the match would be played behind closed doors, Rodgers responded: "The match is about the players and the supporters, if one of them wasn't there it obviously wouldn't be the same."

"In the last few days, all three players have had very mild illnesses and are getting advice by the club's medical staff, continuing to have the current government briefing."

"The three players were then advised by NHS 111 that their symptoms were consistent with common seasonal illnesses and that an isolation period of seven days was appropriate as a precautionary measure."

"There is no recommendation that further tests will be needed. The club is in regular contact with the player concerned, whose symptoms are still mild," said the 47-year-old coach.

The British government on Friday (local time) is expected to announce that it is stepping up its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been 484 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK and the death toll has reached eight.