COVID-19 Infects Arsenal Manager

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus, causing the Premier League to declare that they will hold an urgent meeting today to discuss forthcoming fixtures.

Arsenal's training ground has been shut as a consequence of Arteta's positive test, with Gunners' players and club staff who had recent contact with the Spaniard now forced to self-isolate.

Arsenal confirmed the shock news just minutes after the Premier League had said all fixtures would go ahead this weekend despite the spread of the global pandemic.

Arsenal, due to play at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League Saturday, said it was "clear we will not be able to play some fixtures on their currently scheduled dates".

Arsenal are now trying to trace any other people who may have had contact with Arteta.

The news of Arteta's positive test could force the Premier League to cancel English top-flight matches.

Arsenal's game at Manchester City Wednesday had been called off after Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis announced Tuesday that he had contracted the virus.

Marinakis met Arsenal staff and players during a Europa League tie at the Emirates Stadium on February 27.

Source: AFP