Arsenal could be forced to work with a skeleton coaching staff for their Premier League clash with Manchester City on New Year’s Day.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta recently tested positive for the coronavirus for the second time and has been placed in quarantine.
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Steve Round, one of Arteta’s assistants, was missing from the dugout in north London during the win over Norwich on Boxing Day.
According to the Telegraph, other key members of the coaching staff may also be absent on Saturday amid growing concern about the spread of Kovid-19 at the club.
Assistant coach Albert Steuvenberg took charge of training on Wednesday and is set to lead Arsenal against City at the Emirates.
The club continues to assess the situation and its rigorous testing protocols are still being followed.
Further possible absence also depends on the length of the isolation period required for those who have already contracted the virus.
There have been some positive first-team tests, but as of Thursday morning there are no concerns about whether the Gunners will have enough senior players to complete the upcoming fixture.
Arteta also tested positive for Covid-19 in March 2020 and this led to the suspension of football in England.
The Spaniard is one of four Premier League managers who were forced to side due to the virus this season along with Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Aston Villa’s Steven Gerrard and Crystal Palace’s Patrick Vieira.
Arsenal are up for an even more difficult task this weekend as City have won all 10 of their previous Premier League matches.
The Citizens top the league with eight points separating them from second-placed Chelsea.
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