RAPID RECOVERY Arsenal’s Europa League clash ‘expected to go ahead’ despite Rapid Vienna player testing positive for coronavirus

ARSENAL'S Europa League opener versus Rapid Vienna is expected to go ahead despite a positive coronavirus test inside the Austrian side's squad.

Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2020 by Thesun.co.uk

The club have confirmed an unnamed player's diagnosis with the illness, which also struck down Mikel Arteta in the spring.

RAPID RECOVERY Arsenal’s Europa League clash ‘expected to go ahead’ despite Rapid Vienna player testing positive for coronavirus
Rapid Vienna players will undergo extra testing while the unnamed player self-isolates Credit: Getty Images - Getty

RAPID RECOVERY Arsenal’s Europa League clash ‘expected to go ahead’ despite Rapid Vienna player testing positive for coronavirus
Mikel Arteta will take his side to Austria for the 5.55pm kick-off Credit: Reuters

Routine tests uncovered a single case of coronavirus with additional checks set to take place ahead of Thursday's game.

Arsenal are still due to travel to the Austrian capital for the Group B clash.

A Rapid statement read: "As part of the routine Covid-19 tests at SK Rapid, a player tested positive after the evaluation.

"SK Rapid reacted immediately and the Bundesliga prevention concept, which defines the procedure in confirmed cases in detail, came into play immediately.

"The player who tested positive and has so far shown no symptoms is already in quarantine at home.

"The responsible health authority was informed immediately, as was the team and the staff, who have undergone new tests.

"The other tests all gave negative results, which is proof of the effectiveness of the prevention concept.

"Training and match operations are therefore not at risk."

Arsenal qualified for the Europa League after winning last season's FA Cup.

Their European campaign was curtailed by a shock defeat to Olympiacos in the last-32 and Arteta is desperate for a better return this time around.

The Gunners boss said in August: "It is a must for our club and financially because it is a bigger step forward in order to allow us to do more things in the future and have a better structure financially."

However, Mesut Ozil will not be able to contribute to their group campaign, which also features Molde and Dundalk, after being left out the squad.