Team Members 'stung' By COVID-19, Arsenal Cancel US Tour

Arsenal players in pre-season (Twitter @arsenal)

JAKARTA - Arsenal canceled their pre-season tour of the United States after several positive cases of COVID-19 emerged at the club, the team said on Tuesday.

Arsenal plan to participate in this month's Florida Cup alongside other English Premier League sides Everton, Serie A champions Inter Milan and Colombian side Millonarios.

"Following a small number of positive COVID-19 tests among those planning to travel to America tomorrow, we are sadly forced to withdraw from the Florida Cup," Arsenal said on their Twitter account.

"This difficult decision is based on ensuring the health and well-being of our players and staff."

Following a small number of positive COVID tests among the planned party to travel to America tomorrow, we have sadly been forced to withdraw from the Florida Cup. This difficult decision is based on ensuring the health and wellbeing of our players and staff.

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 20, 2021

The Londoners are scheduled to take on Inter on Sunday, and the winner of that match will meet the winner of the match between Everton and Millonarios on 28 July.

Everton meanwhile said midfielder Fabian Delph would not be traveling with the squad to Orlando "as a precaution after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19".

Delph will resume his pre-season training as soon as his isolation period ends, the Merseyside club said in an Arsenal statement.

Arsenal under manager Mikel Arteta started their pre-season preparations in Scotland and played two games, losing 2-1 to Hibernian and drawing 2-2 with Rangers.

Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League table last season and will kick off the 2021-2022 season with a trip to promoted team Brentford on August 13.