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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Potential double injury boost for Arsenal as Mikel Arteta reacts to Premier League decision

For the next three weeks there will be no action from the top flight of English football.

Yesterday morning (Friday March, 13) in a joint statement issued by the Football Association, the Premier League and the EFL all announced that football would be suspended until April 4.

"Following a meeting of Shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time,"  the Premier League's official statement read .

Coronavirus: How has sport been affected?

"Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19.

"In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.

"Despite the challenges, it is the Premier League's aim to reschedule the displaced fixtures, including those played by Academy sides, when it is safe to do so.

"In this fast-moving environment, further updates will be provided when appropriate."

Of course this decision will affect Arsenal in a major way and with that said, here's all the news from around the Emirates Stadium over the past 24 hours.

Coronavirus effect

The coronavirus has hit the Premier League.

The season has been suspended until April 4, with no games to be played between now and then.

And it could get even worse, with the virus thought to be at its peak in the UK at around that time.

Premier League match ball (Alex Morton/Getty Images)

So what is the situation as far as Arsenal are concerned and how will it affect the club?

Find out here.

Arteta sends message to Arsenal fans

Mikel Arteta says he is "feeling better already" after his diagnosis with coronavirus on Thursday night.

The Arsenal head coach was the first football figure in the English game to be diagnosed with COVID-19, with the result coming through at 9pm on Thursday night.

But he's in good spirits.

Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal's match against West Ham (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"Thanks for your words and support," he wrote on Twitter. "Feeling better already.

"We're all facing a huge & unprecedented challenge. Everyone's health is all that matters right now.

"Protect each other by following the guidelines & we'll come through this together. Well done PL for making the right decisions."

Ozil speaks out

Mesut Ozil became the first Arsenal player to deliver a verdict on the Premier League's decision to bring a halt to the season until nex month.

The German playmaker broke the squad's silence with a classy message on social media.

"Football does not matter right now," Ozil wrote on Twitter. "The health and wellbeing of everyone is far more important than everything else.

Mesut Ozil celebrates scoring for Arsenal in the Premier League against Newcastle United. ((Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images))

"Guys, take all the precautions you can - be mindful and considerate of everyone, especially those who are at high risk.

"As we go through this global issue, we should not forget to say thank you to all doctors, nurses and scientists etc worldwide, who are helping to keep this virus from spreading.

"They are under high pressure in the upcoming weeks & deserve our respect and gratitude."

Potential double injury boost

One piece of good news to come out of the Premier League being suspended, it that the break at least allows the Gunners to ease a couple players back to full fitness.

Shkodran Mustafi has missed the last two games with a little niggle, while Sead Kolasinac has not featured since the 3-2 win over Everton last month.

In the case of the latter, he had been ruled out of games against Brighton as well as Sheffield United but was on course to return to full training at the end of March.

(TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

So if Premier League football does indeed return on April 4 the Kolasinac as well as Mustafi should both the available for selection in what is a potential double injury boost for Arsenal.

Furthermore, Lucas Torreira's chances of featuring again this season have improved slightly.

However, Calum Chambers won't be affected by the Premier League suspension.

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