Hudson-Odoi becomes EPL’s first COVID-19 casualty; Arteta tests positive

Chelsea’s players and coaching staff were ordered into isolation as Callum Hudson-Odoi became the first Premier League player confirmed to have the new coronavirus late on Thursday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also tested positive, also throwing their team into lockdown.

“Chelsea men’s team player Callum Hudson-Odoi had a positive test result for coronavirus returned this evening,” a club statement said.

“Chelsea personnel who had recent close contact with the player in the men’s team building will now self-isolate in line with government health guidelines.

“These will include initially the full men’s team squad, coaching staff and a number of backroom staff.”

Chelsea said they would discuss their upcoming games, starting with Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Premier League officials on Friday.

Two Arsenal fixtures -- Wednesday’s game at Manchester City, and away to Brighton on Saturday -- have already been cancelled because of the virus.

Hudson-Odoi displayed cold symptoms on Monday morning and has stayed away from the club since then. His test result was returned on Thursday night.

The club said despite testing positive, the 19-year-old was “doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible”.

Arsenal have closed their training ground as a result of Arteta’s positive test, with Gunners players and club staff who had recent contact with the Spaniard now forced to self-isolate.

“This is really disappointing but I took the test after feeling poorly,” Arteta said in a statement on Arsenal’s website.

“I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”

Arsenal said it was “clear we will not be able to play some fixtures on their currently scheduled dates” and Brighton quickly confirmed their clash at the Amex Stadium had been called off.

“First and foremost our thoughts are with Mikel Arteta and we wish him a speedy recovery,” Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said.

“It’s absolutely essential the health and wellbeing of individuals takes priority and with that in mind Saturday’s match has been postponed. We apologise to all fans for any inconvenience but trust everyone will understand that we are all facing an unprecedented situation.”

Arsenal’s Premier League match at Manchester City on Wednesday was postponed and several Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted the virus.

Marinakis, 52, met a number of Arsenal’s players and staff when the Gunners faced Olympiakos in a Europa League tie in February.

“Our London Colney training centre has been closed after head coach Mikel Arteta received a positive Covid-19 result this evening,” the Arsenal statement said.

“Arsenal personnel who had recent close contact with Mikel will now self-isolate in line with Government health guidelines. We expect this to be a significant number of people from Colney, including the full first-team squad and coaching staff.”

Arsenal are now trying to trace any other people who may have had contact with Arteta.

Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham added: “The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is.

“Our thoughts are with Mikel who is disappointed but in good spirits. We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”

Arsenal are the latest Premier League club to be hit by the virus. Leicester revealed on Thursday that three of their players have self-isolated after showing signs of the virus.

Manchester City said one unnamed member of their squad, reportedly France defender Benjamin Mendy, is in self-isolation after a family member suffered a respiratory illness.

The relative is being treated in hospital and has undergone tests for the coronavirus.

Agencies