Arteta feels season is on knife-edge

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta believes the spike in coronavirus cases among Premier League players proves the upcoming season is on a knife-edge.

A number of players have tested positive for Covid-19 as they return to begin pre-season training ahead of the top-flight kick-off on September 12.

The likes of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele were left out of the France squad having returned positive results.

Arteta was the first highprofile case among the British football community when he was struck down by Covid-19 in March, the catalyst for the season being halted.

He recovered fully before guiding the Gunners to FA Cup success, earning them a place in today’s Community Shield against Premier League champions Liverpool.

Asked if the increased positive results were a sign that the season is on a knife-edge, the 38-year-old replied: “Yes – and I think we are going to have many more cases in the future unfortunately.

“There is not much we can do and we know that there are some uncertainties we cannot control at the moment.”

It is understood the Premier League is not expecting there to be any need to delay the start of the 2020-21 season.

Should clubs feel there is an issue with fulfilling a fixture due to a Covid-19 outbreak, the protocol is that they should approach the league’s board over a possible postponement, and issues will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.