By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was absent as the club’s first-team squad returned to training at London Colney on Monday.
Most of first team players trained at the club’s Hertfordshire base on Monday morning after the club decided that it was safe to open up their large training base.
Arteta and his first team staff were not present at training, choosing instead to remain at home. Arsenal enforced strict rules for all players, designating each individual their own ball and parking spot so that they do not need to come in contact with each other.
Players were given designated times to arrive and arrived in groups of five to stem the flow of players through the door. The gym, canteen and indoor training centre was closed.
Arteta tested positive for the deadly coronavirus in March, forcing Arsenal’s match against Manchester City to be postponed and pressurising the Premier League into suspension.
Last week, Nicolas Pepe, David Luiz and Alexandre Lacazette were cautioned by the club after they were seen flouting social distancing measures.
Arsenal is the first club to open their training ground but others are set to follow with West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool considering the move.
Mikel Arteta Amatriain is a Spanish professional football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Premier League club Arsenal. Born in San Sebastián, Arteta played as an attacking and defensive midfielder, and operated primarily as a playmaker.
