Arsenal cancel trip to America for Florida Cup matches after outbreak of Covid-19 in Gunners camp
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ByEurosport
Updated 21/07/2021 at 08:14 GMT
Arsenal were due to face Inter Milan in the Florida Cup on Sunday. The competition also features Everton and Millonarios, with the Gunners facing one of those two sides depending on the outcome of their meeting with the Serie A champions. Arsenal's next game is against Chelsea in the Mind Series on August 1.
Mikel Arteta watches on, Hibernian v Arsenal, Easter Road, Edinburgh, July 23, 2021
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have pulled out of their pre-season trip to America due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the camp.
The Gunners opened their pre-season with a trip to Scotland, losing to Hibernian and drawing with Rangers, which teed them up for the Florida Cup.
Mikel Arteta’s side were due to fly out to America on Wednesday, but they are now going to miss the game with Inter Milan on Sunday.
"Following a small number of positive Covid tests among the planned party to travel to America tomorrow, we have sadly been forced to withdraw from the Florida Cup," read a statement from Arsenal. This difficult decision is based on ensuring the health and wellbeing of our players and staff.
"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. Our apologies also go to the organisers of the Florida Cup who had done a fantastic job making the preparations and our partners who had arranged events around our participation in the competition.
"We are glad to say the members of staff are not currently displaying any Covid symptoms. They are now in self-isolation at home.
"We are now making alternative arrangements in line with the Premier League protocols to continue our preparations for the new season.
"We hope everyone understands this difficult situation which is beyond anyone’s control."
The news throws their preparations for the Premier League opener against Brentford on August 13 into disarray.
Arteta said following the trip to Scotland that what his players needed were match minutes to hone their sharpness and skills.
They will now miss two games, meaning their final two matches before facing Brentford will be against Chelsea and Tottenham in the Mind Series on August 1 and 8 respectively.
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