Arsenal players quarantined due to COVID-19 risk; City match called off

Some Arsenal players and staff members are self-isolated in their homes for 14 days after they recently came into "close contact" with Evangelos Marinakis, the Olympiacos owner who has tested positive for the coronavirus.

As a result, the club's trip to Manchester City on Wednesday has been postponed by the Premier League.

It isn't entirely clear when the quarantine period will finish. The squad notes that the Europa League match against Olympiacos which Marinakis attended was 13 days ago, but the club's statement indicates that the spell of self-isolation has only just begun. Arsenal followed the Olympiacos meeting with an FA Cup game at Portsmouth and a home match against West Ham United in the Premier League.

The Gunners were scheduled to follow the City tussle with matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United over the next two weeks.

"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 statement reads.

"We fully understand how disappointing this is for our supporters, in particular those who were traveling to Manchester for tonight's match. Tickets will be valid for the match when it's rearranged."

The release adds that the risk of developing COVID-19 for those who came into contact with Marinakis is "extremely low" but the club must "strictly" follow government guidelines regarding self-isolation.

"As a further precautionary measure, whilst we do not believe there was any close contact with any other Arsenal guests or staff in the directors box restaurant, we are contacting them to advise they should follow the relevant advice if there has been any such contact," the statement continued.

The club's statement concludes by wishing Marinakis a speedy recovery.

Earlier on Tuesday, Wolverhampton Wanderers released a statement expressing their concern after UEFA rejected their request to postpone the club's trip to Olympiacos on Thursday. The Europa League affair will remain behind closed doors.

"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," Wolves said.