Due to the fast-spreading of the deadly pandemic coronavirus, Mikel Arteta said that the families of the Arsenal players who are worried have expressed their concern. The total number of confirmed cases is 86,927 in 59 countries, with 2,976 people killed, shows the latest figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports.
With the Swiss Super League and some Italian Serie A fixtures having been postponed and played behind the closed doors this weekend, sporting events have been affected as countries take measures to contain the outbreak. The total number of confirmed cases of the disease have risen to be 23 in the UK as of early on Sunday, there are growing concerns that competitions could be impacted yet matches in England have not been disrupted with.
All focus on Portsmouth.
🏆 #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/aCEILWiUcW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 1, 2020
Gooners manager, Arteta, made it clear that the club are following advice from authorities as they prepare for Monday’s FA Cup fifth-round meeting with League One side Portsmouth on Monday. Arsenal head coach Arteta also insists there is no great anxiety within the club but accepts the players’ families, particularly those from abroad, are worried.
The Spaniard, Mikel Arteta said,
“[We are] not anxious,”
“Obviously, we read the information, it’s all the time in the media.
“Our families are concerned. We have a lot of foreign players with foreign families in different countries so it’s something that is on a daily basis.
“The club and the authorities are in contact every day. We are following all the instructions from the club doctor.
“So far, the protocols we have been doing are enough but obviously don’t know to what stage it is going to develop.
“We’ve seen in other countries the difficult decisions they have to make around it to protect the situation, so we have to wait and see and be guided by them.”
Arsenal went on to lose the Europa League game against the Greek side, Olympiacos on the basis of away goal rule. Olympiacos went on to draw the game 2-2 where they scored 2 crucial away goals. With FA Cup clash nearing, to bring some positivity to the Gunners’ season, Mikel Arteta is now hoping for a long run in the FA Cup. Regarding the FA Cup, he said:
💬 "It's a trophy that's been very much linked with our history. So we want to continue to be attached to that."
👔 @m8arteta speaks ahead of tonight's #EmiratesFACup tie…
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 2, 2020
“It’s really special,”
“It’s probably one of the nicest games and days of the season when you play the final day in England, at Wembley, nice weather and an incredible atmosphere.
“And you know, it’s a trophy that’s been very much linked with our history. So, we want to continue to be attached to that, knowing that on Monday night in Portsmouth, it will be tough.”
With Arsenal out of Europa League and languishing in the first half of the bottom of the table in the Premier League, Arsenal finds it difficult to make it to any of the European competitions. It is unlikely for the North London outfit to make it to the top four. Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs, and Wolverhampton Wanderers along with the promoted side Sheffield United are fighting for the fourth spot. In this scenario, Arsenal will be looking to make their mark in FA Cup to salvage their season. Can Arsenal go all the way?
