Arsenal Withdraw from Pre Season Tournament after Several Club Members Test Positive for COVID-19
- Arsenal were set to participate in a mini pre season tournament in the US from Sunday, July 25
- But they were forced to withdraw from the competition after a “small number of their touring party” tested positive for COVID-19
- The club however did not disclose the identity of those affected nor did they reveal the exact number
- In a statement, the North London club said they would now shift focus on the new season which starts in 25 days
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Arsenal’s pre-season trip to the US has been cancelled after a “small number” of members of the team tested positive for COVID-19.
Source: UGC
Mikel Arteta’s side was scheduled to play in the Florida cup along with Inter Milan, Everton and Colombian side Millonarios.
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 21, Arsenal announced they would not be taking part in the cup but did not disclose how many players tested positive for the virus.
"This difficult decision is based on ensuring the health and wellbeing of players and staff," a statement read.
"We fully understand what a disappointment this is for our supporters in America, who were looking forward to seeing us compete in the Florida Cup as part of our pre-season build-up,”
Arsenal added in the statement that they would be focusing on the upcoming new league campaign were “making alternative arrangements in line with the Premier League protocols to continue our preparations for the new season."
The Florida cup is set to begin on Sunday, July 25 at the Camping World Stadium, Orlando.
Officials of the pre-season tournament also responded to news of Arsenal’s withdrawal, saying:
“We are disappointed that Arsenal have decided not to participate in the 2021 Florida Cup. We wish the members of the Arsenal travelling party who tested positive for COVID-19 a speedy recovery as we continue making final preparations for the event.”
Arsenal’s luke-warm pre-season
The Gunners have not made the most positive return to football as their first two preseason games ended with Arteta’s men failing to secure a win.
In the first pre-season, they lost 2-1 to Scottish side Hibernian before going to draw level with Scotland champions Rangers in their next game.
Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how Premier League club Arsenal confirmed the signing of Belgian midfielder Sambi Lokonga who moved to the north London club on loan.
The 21-year-old impressive star joins the Gunners from Anderlecht’s youth programme after joining the Belgian side in 2014 as a 15-year-old and signing his first professional contract in November 2017.
Source: Legit.ng
