Arsenal’s training resumption gives a glimmer of hope
ARSENAL are back in training next week with a number of Premier League clubs also pushing to return in the biggest sign yet that football in England will restart soon.
With government talks this week to discuss a potential resumption of the season, clubs are keen to get players back in shape as soon as possible and a more certain timetable is likely to be discussed at this Friday’s Premier League shareholder meeting.
Arsenal players will be allowed back to their London Colney training base for conditioning work from next week. Players will have access to training pitches on a strict rotational basis, exercising in small groups while maintaining appropriate social distance within government coronavirus guidelines.
An Arsenal spokesperson said: ‘Players will be permitted access to our London Colney training grounds next week. Access will be limited, carefully managed and social distancing will be maintained at all times. All Colney buildings remain closed. Players will travel alone, do their individual workout and return home.’
Many clubs feel that it is becoming impossible for players to train in public as they are often approached by others, making it hard to maintain social distancing. However, if they have a personal trainer to act as a minder they would be breaking government guidelines.
Other clubs will follow Arsenal as training does not involve breaking guidelines in that you are allowed to travel to work if you cannot work from home, as long as you maintain social distancing.
Groups of four of five players can perform conditioning exercises together while being spread out among the training ground. They will be expected to drive into the training ground alone in kit and leave without socialising, eating or showering.
It is understood discussions with Sky, BT, Amazon and the BBC are underway as to how to screen all 92 of the remaining fixtures, which will be behind closed doors.
Of those, 47 are already due to be aired live by BT and Sky. But the Premier League are discussing how to show the remaining 45 live, given that fans cannot attend.