Arsenal has confirmed that Arteta tested positive for COVID and will miss the match against Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta will miss our match against Manchester City on New Year's Day after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the club's official website.
Mikel is isolating himself in accordance with government guidelines, and we wish him the best.
The Spaniard tested positive for the virus in March 2020, shortly before English football was suspended due to the spread of Covid.
In Arteta's absence, it is expected that Albert Stuivenberg or Steve Round will take over as Arsenal manager.
After facing City, Arsenal will face Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on January 6, so Arteta will be hoping to be fit for that game.
Arteta's positive test is a setback for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has his team in a rich vein of form. After defeating West Ham last week, Arsenal moved into the top four and have won their last five games in all competitions.
Omicron, a highly contagious new Covid variant, has wreaked havoc on the football calendar in recent weeks, with infections increasing at alarming rates. As a result, some teams find themselves with as many as three games remaining.
Arteta, whose team has risen from a disappointing start to fourth place after winning their last five matches in all competitions, is still expected to hold his press conference on Thursday.
"This is extremely disappointing," Arteta said, according to the BBC.
"I took the test despite feeling ill. I'll be at work as soon as I'm permitted."
Arsenal has closed its London Colney training facility, and club employees who have had recent contact with Arteta will now self-isolate.
On game day, assistants Albert Stuivenberg and Steve Round will be in charge.
The Gunners were missing several players during their 5-0 win over Norwich on Sunday due to coronavirus, including Calum Chambers, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Arsenal's Premier League match against Wolves on Tuesday was postponed due to an overabundance of Covid cases.
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