The Arsenal COVID saga continues. As of Monday, a small number of training ground staff have tested positive for the virus, leading the club to resume heightened preventative and testing measures. The north London club endured a similar outbreak at the beginning of the season. Mikel Arteta and his staff will hope to avoid a repeat of that debacle.
What Is The Arsenal COVID Situation?
As of Monday, the small number of positive COVID cases were limited to training ground staff. No players have returned positive tests. However, even so few positive cases at Arsenal continues a worrying trend among Premier League clubs. The BBC reported 42 cases of COVID among club players and staff in the last week alone. This number represents the largest seven-day case count on record.
What Are The Ramifications?
In light of of the positive COVID cases, Arsenal have returned to emergency protocol measures. Among these are social distancing measures at the training ground and stadium, as well as COVID tests in-car for players and staff before entering London Colney grounds. Additionally, the club have cancelled group gatherings, like holiday parties.
Arsenal are hopeful that all of their upcoming games will go ahead as scheduled, and have asked for clarification from the league regarding what threshold must be met in order for games to be postponed. Some have criticized the league for the so-called arbitrary nature in which games have been green- or red-lit.
December begins the most congested time of the soccer season. With games almost every three days, the Gunners will hope that they can navigate the “festive fixtures” with minimal disruption and illness.
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