Coronavirus hits the Premier League as Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi tests positive for Covid-19 and goes into self-isolation

Chelsea says Hudson-Odoi “displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning” and stayed away from the training ground. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is self-isolating after also testing positive for the virus.

The match against Brighton on Saturday has been postponed but there has been no decision on Aston Villa’s game against Chelsea on the same day, the Premier League will hold “an emergency club meeting” today to discuss future fixtures.

The club added that the player is “doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible”.

Chelsea’s full squad has gone into isolation.

The Gunners have closed their training ground and club staff who had recent contact with Arteta will also self-isolate. “This is really disappointing,” said Spaniard Arteta, 37. “I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I’m allowed.”

Arsenal expects a “significant number of people” will self-isolate, including the “full first-team squad”. The club was due to face Brighton in the Premier League at Amex Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT) but Brighton released a statement, shortly after confirmation of Arteta’s positive test, announcing that the game had been called off.

“The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is,” said Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham.

“We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”

Arsenal’s Premier League match with Manchester City on Wednesday was postponed as a “precautionary measure” and several Gunners players went into self-isolation after Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted coronavirus.

Three academy matches have already been postponed, including the Under-23s clash with Tottenham which was due to be played on Friday night.