Mikel Arteta pleads not to play behind closed doors
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss the match against Manchester City on New Year's Day. Arsenal are on a run of four consecutive wins in the Premier League but will have to be without their manager on Saturday.
A statement on the official Arsenal website reads: "Mikel Arteta will miss our match against Manchester City on New Year’s Day after testing positive for COVID-19.
"Mikel is isolating in line with Government guidelines and we wish him well."
It will also put into doubt Arteta's presence at the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool next Thursday.
Arteta has now tested positive twice for COVID-19.
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Scotland have reduced the number of fans that can attend matches to 500 due to the increase in cases.
Arteta stated last week that he does not want to return to a situation where there are no fans in the stadiums.
"Please don't go back to that stage," said Arteta.
"We have experienced that and it's something we don't like so hopefully it's not what happens.
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"It's a different sport. Football is all about sharing it with people and having fans around the stadiums and when it is not, it is a completely different sport and the competition gets lost. It is not the same."
The presence of supporters has seemingly had a positive impact on Arsenal.
The Gunners are fourth in the table after a fine turnaround in form from Arteta's side in recent weeks.