Coronavirus: Arsenal players in self-isolation but Premier League fixture at Brighton to go ahead

Some Arsenal players have been in self-isolation this week ahead of their Premier League fixture at Brighton this Saturday

Arsenal were due to face City at the Etihad Stadium tonight but it was postponed as a precaution, due to the coronavirus.

Several of Arsenal's squad are in self-isolation after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted coronavirus. The clubs said Marinakis, 52, met a number of Arsenal players when they hosted the Greek side in a Europa League match two weeks ago.

A Brighton club statement read: "The risk is considered extremely low and Saturday’s match remains scheduled to go ahead with the self-isolation period for those players ending tomorrow. We continue to follow government and medical advice with regard to the coronavirus.

"Those players, and a small number of staff, took the measure after they met with Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis on Thursday, February 27 at the Europa League tie between the clubs at the Emirates."

Arsenal confirmed none of the staff or players are showing any symptoms of the virus and a statement from the club this morning read: "Following yesterday's news that Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has recently contracted Covid-19, we have been taking medical advice and tracing any individuals who had what the guidelines define as close contact with him at the game 13 days ago.

"As a result of this exercise we identified that a number of players met the Olympiacos owner immediately following the game.

"The medical advice we have received puts the risk of them developing Covid-19 at extremely low. 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.

"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."

“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.

“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.”

That period concludes on Thursday, March 12.