Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was tested positive for coronavirus a couple of days ago and following this the Premier League has decided to suspend the league, first till the 3rd of April and now till the 30th of the same month.
This extended suspension means that most players and staff members from various sides remain on lockdown but it looks like the Gunners are already preparing to return back to training pretty soon.
The club have confirmed that their training centres have reopened have been reopened with minimal staff strength and also that Mikel Arteta is feeling much better and is making plans to return back to the training grounds.
A statement reported in Arsenal.com: “Our training centres in London Colney and Hale End were closed for deep cleaning after Mikel’s diagnosis with the virus but have now re-opened with a small workforce to maintain the facilities and training pitches.
“A number of staff, including Mikel and the men’s first-team squad, are currently isolating at home. We’re pleased to say that Mikel is feeling much better. He’s in good spirits, doing detailed planning with the coaches and speaking to the players regularly. The women’s and academy teams are also currently staying at home. All our players are looking forward to getting back out on the training pitches as soon as the situation allows.
“The players have been given specific training and dietary regimes to follow at home and are in daily contact with our coaches and support staff. As you will have seen from social media some of them are certainly embracing this changed new world.
“Our Highbury House office is now closed, and all our staff from that building, as well as other staff who can work remotely, are operating from home. Thanks to the detailed contingency plans we had in place, we are able to operate effectively in this way.
“You will not be surprised to hear that our retail stores and Emirates Stadium Tours are closed with all meetings and events at Emirates Stadium postponed until further notice. The Hub, home of Arsenal in the Community at Emirates Stadium, has also closed until further notice.
“We continue to support our local Islington community in these difficult times and we are in discussions with local groups to find new ways to support our most vulnerable groups as the situation develops.
“We are liaising with the local authority and the areas being explored range from providing online coaching and teaching, and staff volunteering to have regular phone contact with elderly local people feeling isolated. We are also looking into how we can support our casual workers.”
