Mikel Arteta, Arsenal head coach, has pleaded with the public to help the NHS by just staying at home. He confirmed that he is now 'completely recovered' after he has tested positive with the virus.
Arteta tested positive for the COVID-19 on March 12, and his diagnosis was one of the main reasons the English football to suspended. For now there will not be any played fixtures until April 30 at earliest.
The 38The 38-year-old admits that he felt fear of having spread the virus.-year-old Spaniard was diagnosed shortly after the Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis also got tested positive for the virus. The Greek owner cami in close contact with some of the players and they were in self-isolation because of that.
Arteta made an official statement on the Arsenal's website saying: "I am feeling completely recovered.
"It's true I started having some symptoms when we got the phone call from the club to let us know that we might be exposed to the virus because of the owner of Olympiacos.
“In that moment… I don't know, I felt something within me, that I had it.
"We had a game the following day against Manchester City, so I made a decision and called the doctor and I asked him to drive home.
“There was a massive risk there and as well I was the first one feeling the symptoms, very clear symptoms. So if that was the case, all of the players and the people related to the club who are in contact with me on a daily basis were exposed.”
Arteta has gone through what he described as difficult few days as he suffered from the virus symptoms - temperature, dry cough and chest discomfort.
The 38-year-old admits that he felt fear of having spread the virus.
Arsenal were due to return back to training last week, but following the government guidelines, they delayed it.
In the statement Mikel Arteta pleaded the people to stay at home as much as possible to help prevent the quick spread of the virus.
"Please to everybody, we are having the opportunity a little bit to minimise the risk, I encourage everybody please to be responsible and stay at home as much as possible," said Arsenal head coach.
As for the players, they remain in self-isolation, but they are following a strict fitness plans and diet programs to stay fit and ready for action once the season resumes.
