Premier League Rumors: Arteta Planned To Continue Work Despite Illness

Mikel Arteta has been busy trying to whip Arsenal FC into fighting form and not even an illness would have stopped him. Unfortunately, he tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing him into isolation. But according to his wife, the 37-year-old would have continued to go to work if what hit him was not that serious.

Lorena Bernal thanked everyone who took time out to check on her husband on Instagram. She said that Mikel was doing better and that the Gunners coach would have gone back to work if it was under normal circumstances.

"My husband is feeling fine, he is well. It's true that he had symptoms of the virus but the symptoms would have never stopped him from going to work in a normal situation," Bernal said. "He would have just taken an ibuprofen or paracetamol and he would have gone to work so really, it's nothing major," Bernal said.

Arteta is not the only one right now in isolation. Personnel who got in close contact with him are also in self-isolation and Arsenal is taking the necessary steps to address the situation. That includes temporarily closing the Hale End Academy for the meantime per the club's official website.

Arteta tested positive for the coronavirus last Mar. 12 where other players and personnel likewise tested positive. Originally, Arsenal planned to call in people who were believed not to have had contact with Arteta but all those plans are no longer feasible.

The Center for Disease Control and Protection recently announced that all in-person events involving 50 or more are to be called off for the next eight weeks, likely hinting that the football world will also be in hold for the meantime. Originally, plans were to suspend gameplay until Apr. 3 but the worsening spread of the COVID-19 virus will move that.

Among the competitions that have been placed on, pause include the Champions League, Europa League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1. All are temporarily on hold as different measures are being taken. That includes proper sanitation of venues and close coordination with health institutions on preventive measures against the pandemic.