Arsenal have cancelled their pre-season tour to the United States after reported cases of positive COVID-19 cases at the club.
In a statement released on Tuesday the club said that ‘small cases of COVID-19’ have been reported in the team.
The Gunners were planning to participate in this month’s Florida Cup alongside Premier League rivals Everton, Serie A champions Inter Milan and Colombian side Millonarios.
“Following a small number of positive COVID tests among the planned party to travel to America tomorrow, we have sadly been forced to withdraw from the Florida Cup,” Arsenal said on their Twitter account.
“This difficult decision is based on ensuring the health and wellbeing of our players and staff.”
The London side were scheduled to take on Inter on Sunday, with the winner facing the victor in Everton’s game against Millonarios on July 28.
Everton, meanwhile, said midfielder Fabian Delph will not travel with the team’s squad to Orlando “as a precautionary measure after coming into contact with someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19”.
Delph will resume his pre-season training as soon as his period of self-isolation ends, the Merseyside club said in a statement.
“Everton can confirm that Fabian Delph will not travel with the squad to the Florida Cup in Orlando as a precautionary measure after coming into contact with someone who has since tested positive for Covid-19.
Delph, who began his preparations for the coming season on 5 July and has played in both of the Club’s practice matches – including a 1-0 victory against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday - will resume his pre-season training as soon as his period of self-isolation is over.”
The Florida Cup kicks off on Monday July 26 with Millonarios taking on Everton in the opener.