Prince William has said the return of the Premier League will "provide the nation with a much needed relief" when matches kick off again next week.
The Duke of Cambridge spoke to stars from Arsenal football club about their imminent return and the impact of the coronavirus crisis on their mental health.
William, 37, spoke head coach Mikel Arteta - who was diagnosed with Covid-19 - with first team players Hector Bellerin and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to highlight how this year’s Emirates FA Cup Final will be renamed the ‘Heads Up FA Cup Final,’ in honour of the mental health campaign he had been spearheading.
William, President of the FA and keen amateur player, speaking to the group via video call said: “I am really pleased that you guys are coming back to football soon. You’re probably desperate to get back on the pitch and everyone is desperate to see some football again.
"You’ll provide the nation with a much needed relief and boost for their mental health seeing some football back again so it’s really good news.”
William, an Aston Villa supporter, got a laugh from the Arsenal stars, when he joked about the prospects of his team signing the Gunners star striker, “I just want to say to Pierre I hope you’re at Aston Villa next year. Perhaps we can have some words later.”
The Premier League starts up again next Wednesday with Arsenal travelling to Manchester City.
Arsenal face Sheffield United away in the FA Cup quarter final round, on Sunday, June 27.
The north London club stars joked about them beating his team Aston Villa in the 2015 FA Cup Final, with William replying: “I wondered how long it would take before you brought that up.”
During the call, the group discussed the significance of the FA Cup Final being dedicated to mental health and the Heads Up campaign.
William said: “As you can see behind me I've got the FA Cup. How many times has Arsenal won it, 13 is it? I promise I won’t do anything to the cup just in case you do it again this year!
“We’re going to really use the Final as a moment to promote good, positive mental health for everyone.
"It’s quite timely bearing in mind what we’ve all been through with this pandemic. I think there’s going to be, sadly, a lot of repercussions from this in society, not just in football, in terms of people’s mental health.
“Hopefully the FA Cup can be a bit of a pivot that people can rally around.”
