Highlights:
- Arsenal confirms 2 players, Aubameyang And Lacazette were down with COVID-19 before the club’s PL opener
- Arsenal has confirmed that Aubameyang will be available for the match against Chelsea
The Gunners see themselves hit hard by the outbreak of the Coronavirus which has also seen Willian and Alex Runarsson test positive. Arsenal have confirmed that two of its players – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette – were among the four positive COVID-19 cases before their Premier League opener last week.
Both of the above-mentioned men had Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Brentford on the 13tth of August owing to an, at the time unspecified illness, along with backup goalkeeper Alex Runarsson.
The Gunners have also revealed that all three players were laid low with COVID-19, however, Aubameyang will be available for Arsenal’s next fixture against Chelsea on Sunday after he tested negative during the club’s latest round of medical checks.
In the official statement, giving an update on the condition of the Gabon striker, Arsenal said, “Auba tested positive for Covid-19 and was unavailable for last Friday’s match at Brentford.
“Auba is now negative on Covid-19 testing, is well and following all protocols for return to play. He will return to training and be assessed prior to Sunday’s match.”
Also Read: Top 40 Interesting Football Facts Which Will Leave You Jaw Dropped
Having said this, two players – Lacazette and Runnarson – still will not be fit to return for the north London outfit when they meet Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, and Willian is also a doubt after becoming their fourth player to contract COVID-19 in the last 15 days.
The statement from the club added, “Alex tested positive for Covid-19 and was unavailable for last Friday’s match at Brentford. Alex is still recovering and will not be available for Sunday’s match”.
It also said, “Willian has also tested positive for Covid-19 and is adhering to protocols. His health and fitness will be monitored and assessed ahead of Sunday’s match.
“As part of Premier League protocol, all members of our first-team squad and support staff continue to be regularly tested for COVID-19.”
The Gunners could not have imagined a worse possible start to their new season by losing away to newly-promoted Brentford, and the nature of the defeat will have been a cause of real concern for supporters as the team struggled to create any clear cut chances in the absence of Aubameyang and Lacazette.
Now, depending on how swiftly their recoveries go, they could also remain in doubts for Arsenal’s second round EFL Cup tie against West Brom which will be played on August 25, coming just three days before Mikel Arteta’s side are due to take in a trip to Etihad Stadium to take on reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.