I just got home from a nice dinner with my wife and a few good friends when I opened my Instagram account and saw this headline: “Mikel Arteta has been found positive to coronavirus.” “Are you kidding me,” was my first reaction. My second reaction was, “this is a real shocker. This can’t be happening.”
After a few minutes to get a grip on the situation, I hit the social media channels to find out more information. The Arsenal statement on their website provided the most clarity. Arteta and the whole first team face a self-isolated quarantine for probably 14 days. This also includes any and all Arsenal club personnel who had direct contact with the manager. The team’s training facilities at Colney and Hale End are temporarily closed for a deep cleaning in the next few days.
Here are a few quotes from the Arsenal club’s statement…
Managing director Vinai Venkatesham said, “The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is. Our thoughts are with Mikel who is disappointed but in good spirits. We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”
Head of football Raul Sanllehi added, “Mikel and the full first-team squad, players and staff, will be fully supported, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows. Obviously Mikel’s full recovery is the priority now for us all.”
Mikel Arteta said, “This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”
The club statement went on to say, “How long these people will be quarantined and how many fixtures will Arsenal need to reschedule are still to be determined. The club will work with Public Health England on the next steps in regard to our facilities and staff, and with the Premier League, Football Association and relevant clubs around our forthcoming matches in the Premier League and Emirates FA Cup.”
Following the Gunners statement, the Premier League released one of their own, “In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first-team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures. he Premier League will make no further comment until after that meeting.”
This is a real shocker that no one saw coming. Here in the USA, the NBA, NHL, MLS, and MLB schedules have been suspended, while the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournaments have been cancelled all together. The PGA’s Players Championship golf tournament will continue through this weekend with no supporters on the course.
With such a heavy fixture list already on the books for the Gunners, it is hard to imagine what kind of schedule can be put together to recover maybe 2-3 Premier League games and at least one FA Cup match. However, that really is secondary to the health and well being of our manager, Arsenal staff and team. We wish Mikel a quick recovery, and we will keep our fingers crossed that the virus doesn’t spread through the club.
Again, stay health fellow Gooners.
Gunner1953
Nov 26 – Sporting CP (A)
Stat of the Day: Mikel Arteta will be managing his 250th game for Arsenal this weekend.
