Four Arsenal players have been self-isolating since returning from their summer break, delaying the start of pre-season. That number is thought to include goalkeeper Amy Martinez, who emerged as a hero in the closing stages of the 2019/20 campaign.
Anyone arriving in England from a country not on the UK government’s list of safe ‘travel corridors’ must be quarantined for 14 days before being allowed out in public.
As the Community Shield approaches this weekend against Premier League champions Liverpool, Arsenal have depleted squads during pre-season as some players have not linked up with the whole group to observe the required isolation period. There are coins.
The Gunners may have boosted their chances of upsetting the odds at Wembley for the second time in as many weeks, beating favorites Chelsea in the FA Cup final earlier this month. However, Liverpool have had a long time and don’t seem to have been affected by the positive coronavirus test they reportedly tested during their pre-season trip to Austria.
According to The Sun, there are four players who have had to start pre-season late, delaying their preparations for the new campaign and potentially putting them behind where they would hope in terms of fitness and sharpness.
The tabloid notes that Martinez was required to self-isolate for two weeks after a vacation in Portugal. He has perfected it and is therefore fine to play in the community, but it is suggested that a lack of training could put him at risk of losing his place to regular number one Bernd Leno.
The 27-year-old Argentine has spent a decade at Arsenal and was loaned out six times in recent months before finally getting his chance. Losing his place now would be a major blow, although The Sun admit the Gunners are ‘relaxed’ about his situation.
Arsenal ‘relaxed’ about Martinez ahead of Community Shield/Mark Atkins/Getty Images
The other Arsenal players who are in isolation have not been named, although new yet-to-be-announced signing Gabriel Magalhize has also been quarantined and it is not clear from reports whether he It is one of the four.
The Brazilian is set to debut as an Arsenal player after agreeing a £22m switch from Lille earlier this month, but a possible reason for the delay in the announcement needs to be isolated.
Chelsea have been hit hard by six confirmed cases in the squad. It was reported earlier this week that Mason Mount, Tommy Abraham, Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori were among the players. The Daily Telegraph has since added Jorginho, Emerson, Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley to the list, although it is not known which six have tested positive and which others are in isolation as a precaution.
8 Chelsea players in isolation after 6 test positive for coronavirus / Matthias Hengst/Getty Images
Elsewhere, Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele have also recorded positive tests this week and have had to go into isolation as they come off their pre-season.
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