Nine Arsenal players have been affected by COVID-19 since the start of the season. It’s the first time in club history that Arsenal has started a season without scoring a goal in both games after losing against Chelsea.

According to Mikel Arteta, the club is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, which has forced the suspension of four players last weekend, three today, and will most likely force the suspension of Ben White next weekend. Thomas Partey, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Eddie Nketiah are all expected to miss the rest of the season.

Today’s game ended with Kierney and Martinelli limping off the field. “We put out a team that would very certainly be unprecedented in this football club’s history.” Mikel said. But kudos to the boys for their efforts and the zeal they strive to instill in the team, he added.

After “seriously struggling” with Covid, Aubameyang made his comeback in the derby defeat to Chelsea as a second-half replacement, but Arteta revealed that his captain had to fight to even make the bench.

“Aubameyang put in a lot of effort today to be allowed to sit on the bench,” he remarked. “He merely did one day of training.” He had a difficult time dealing with his condition, and he spent a lengthy time in bed.

“He wanted to be in the squad and try to help the team, which I believe he did when he came on.”

“I don’t know where it originated from,” Arteta said when asked about rumors that his teammates acquired the virus at a reception for Aubameyang’s son. We can only speculate as to where it originated.