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LONDON. — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he has fully recovered from coronavirus.
Spaniard Arteta (37) became the first English Premier League football manager to test positive for the virus on March 13.
He had reported feeling unwell after it was confirmed Evangelos Marinakis — the owner of Greek side Olympiakos, who played Arsenal in the Europa League in February — had coronavirus on March 10.
Arteta said: “It took me three or four days to start feeling better, with more energy, to leave the symptoms behind.”
Speaking to Spanish television channel La Sexta, he added:
“I am very well now. I feel that I have recovered.”
The Gunners’ players were due to report for training today, after completing 14 days’ isolation following Arteta’s diagnosis, but their return has been postponed.
“As a result of the current situation, we are clear it would be inappropriate and irresponsible to ask players to come back at this time,” said the north London club in a statement.
“Therefore our men’s first team, women and academy players are all remaining at home. Stay at home and save lives.”
Several Arsenal players had gone into self-isolation after the news of Marinakis’ positive test, while the Gunners were due to face Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on March 11.
Speaking on Sunday, Arteta added: “I got a call from the board of directors after training while I was in my car and they told me the president of Olympiakos had tested positive, and everyone who had been in contact was at risk.
“I went on to tell them that I wasn’t feeling well and that we had a situation because we had lots of players that had been in contact with them.
“We had a game against Manchester City the next day and obviously we couldn’t put lots of people at risk without saying anything.
“Obviously all those who had been in contact with me had to go into quarantine, and consequently games had to be suspended.” — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter