Arsenal's training plans confirmed as Mikel Arteta recovers from coronavirus

FILE PHOTO: Football - Sunderland v Arsenal - Barclays Premier League - Stadium of Light - October 25/14 Arsenal's Mikel Arteta before the match [Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough]

Arsenal have told their players to stay at home after insisting it would be "inappropriate" to return to training - despite Mikel Arteta recovering from the coronavirus.

The club had expected players to report back on Tuesday after a 14-day quarantine following Arteta's positive test for COVID-19.

But they have decided to delay any return amid the current Government advice on social distancing with no date given as to when they might come back.

Arsenal's statement said: "Our men's first-team players were scheduled to return to training on Tuesday after completing 14 days isolation following Mikel Arteta's positive diagnosis for the virus.

"As a result of the current situation, we are clear it would be inappropriate and irresponsible to ask players to come back at this time.

"Therefore our men's first team, women and academy players are all remaining at home. Stay at home and save lives."

Other clubs are divided on players reporting up for training with some working from home and others doing scaled-down sessions.

Gunners manager Arteta was the first high-profile case of the coronavirus in the Premier League, prompting football chiefs to suspend the competition.

The Spaniard has been carrying out daily meetings from his home while in recovery.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's London Colney training base has been reopened to enable a "small workforce" to maintain facilities.

An Arsenal statement last week read: "Our training centres in London Colney and Hale End were closed for deep cleaning after Mikel's diagnosis with the virus but have now re-opened with a small workforce to maintain the facilities and training pitches.

"A number of staff, including Mikel and the men's first-team squad, are currently isolating at home.?

"We're pleased to say that Mikel is feeling much better. He's in good spirits, doing detailed planning with the coaches and speaking to the players regularly.

"The women's and academy teams are also currently staying at home.

"All our players are looking forward to getting back out on the training pitches as soon as the situation allows."