Arsenal V Man City Pl’s First Coronavirus Postponement

Arsenal’s Premier League match with Manchester City has been postponed as a precaution after the Gunners took medical advice regarding coronavirus.

Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has been diagnosed with the illness, came into contact with some of the Arsenal players on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium after the pair played in the Europa League round of 32 second leg. 

The club say it has traced the Arsenal players who came into contact with the businessman, and while their risk is low, the players will follow government advice and self-isolate for 14 days.

“The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing Covid-19 at extremely low,” the club said in a statement. “However, we are strictly following the government guidelines which recommend that anyone coming into close contact with someone with the virus should self-isolate at home for 14 days from the last time they had contact. 
 
“As a result, the players are unavailable for tonight’s match against Manchester City and the Premier League has decided the game should be postponed.

“The players will remain at their homes until the 14-day period expires. Four Arsenal staff – who were sitting close to Mr Marinakis during the match – will also remain at home until the 14 days are complete.”

The club says that, as a further precautionary measure, it is contacting those who came in close contact with Marinakis in the directors’ box restaurant in order to give them advice.

Meanwhile, fellow Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who will play the Olympiacos in the last 16 round of the Europa League, has confirmed that UEFA rejected its request to postpone the game, though it will take place behind closed doors.

The club said in a statement on its website: “Our position is that the trip poses unnecessary risks to our players, staff, supporters and the families of all who travel, at such critical and uncertain times.

“We believe that there are some things that are more important than football, and that the good health of our pack and the general public is one of them. However, we respect the decision of UEFA and the integrity of the competition, and we will travel tomorrow to Greece to play the fixture.”