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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

What's happening at the Emirates Stadium during Arsenal's Premier League coronavirus suspension

It's two weeks since Arsenal last played a competitive game of football.

That was the 1-0 win over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium at the beginning of the month. Since then two Premier League fixtures as well as an FA Cup quarter-final have been suspended.

This is because of the serious coronavirus outbreak which initially resulted in the competition being suspended until the first week of April.

Premier League stars past and present keep themselves entertained

Had this date stood, the Gunners' return to Premier League action would have been against strugglers Norwich City on April 4th. But following an emergency meeting on Thursday the suspension has been extended until April 30th.

A joint statement issued by the FA, Premier League and EFL reads: "English football bodies' thoughts are with all affected by COVID-19 and are united in finding ways to resume 2019/20 season as soon as it is safe to do.

"The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.

"We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

"The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that "the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June" and "each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season".

"However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football. Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April."

As a result, Liverpool are scheduled to be the next visitors to the Emirates in a fixture that could take place two months after the last game played in N5.

But what's happening at the stadium during the Premier League suspension?

Well, Arsenal have revealed that a small workforce is maintaining the Emirates Stadium pitch.

Take a look at some of the best images of the workforce at work below.

It's not just the Emirates which is being maintained.

The club's training base at London Colney is also being kept in good condition by the workforce as is the club's Hale End academy,

All of which is being done to ensure the Gunners are ready to go when (and if) the league season resumes.

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