Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Thanks Fans for Support After Coronavirus Diagnosis

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has thanked fans for their support after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The Spaniard also praised the Premier League for their decision to suspend the competition until at least April 3 because of the pandemic:

Arsenal confirmed on Thursday that Arteta had received a positive test and would self-isolate along with the first-team squad and a "significant number" of other staff from the club's London Colney training ground.

Arteta's diagnosis prompted the Premier League to set up an emergency meeting regarding fixtures that were due to go ahead on March 13 to 15.

Arsenal's game against Brighton & Hove Albion, scheduled for Saturday at the Amex Stadium, was subsequently postponed.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber sent a message of goodwill to Arteta in a club statement:

"First and foremost our thoughts are with Mikel Arteta and we wish him a speedy recovery. 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."

The Premier League also announced its decision to suspend the competition until April 4.

Arsenal also saw Wednesday's Premier League game with Manchester City called off because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Gunners confirmed that it was a "precautionary measure" after some personnel came into contact with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has tested positive for the virus.

Arteta is not believed to have contracted the virus from Marinakis, according to Simon Collings and Matt Davies at the Evening Standard.

A number of other Premier League teams have also been affected by the coronavirus.

Chelsea partially closed their training facility after winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive. The 19-year-old has said that he is self-isolating but has recovered in a video on Twitter.

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers told reporters on Thursday that three players are in self-isolation after showing symptoms, while Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy is also self-isolating after a family member was hospitalised with coronavirus symptoms, per BBC Sport.

Everton and Bournemouth have also announced staff are self-isolating as a coronavirus precaution, per Reuters.