Arsenal

The signing of Nicolas Pepe last year gave Arsenal supporters hope of a more exciting future.

With no Premier League title since 2004 and heading into a third season without UEFA Champions League football, the £72 million club-record capture of Ivory Coast international Pepe was seen by many as a signal the club were becoming more ambitious in the transfer market.

Eight months on from that deal, though, Arsenal find themselves facing new difficulties.

This time it's not adapting to a new stadium or failing to deliver on the pitch that is changing the thinking —the club are feeling the financial impact of COVID-19.

Arsenal have just convinced most of their first-team squad to accept a 12.5 per cent pay cut, a measure designed to save them around £25 million at a time when revenue from ticketing and merchandise is at an all-time low.

And sources have indicated to B/R that the situation means Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is almost certain to leave the club, with up to five other players also likely to be made available for transfer.

Signings for next season are going to have to be smart, too.

Pepe's fee to Lille is being paid in instalments over the duration of his five-year contract, and going forward they will need to negotiate cleverly over fees, or look for bargain purchases.

This all comes, too, at a time when American billionaire owner Stan Kroenke has other issues to deal with.

His new Los Angeles Rams stadium is a reported $2 billion over budget, per a report from 12Up, and faces building delays that mean it is highly unlikely to open in July as planned. Concerts were scheduled, and setbacks are going to hit Kroenke in the pocket.

Where does all of this leave Arsenal? 

The club introduced an incentive of Champions League qualification to reimburse the players who have agreed to the pay cuts, and while they are not the only club to look into such measures, the concept of a cut rather than pay deferral is interesting.

Mesut Ozil is one of the players not to accept the proposal, as he is believed to question exactly why this decision has been taken.

Arsenal's decision to give Ozil a £350,000-a-week contract is one they most likely regret. His output has decreased since signing the deal, and the club have been open to offers for the past year.

But sources say there is a feeling that these pay cuts might be a sign of things to come at the club. This new financial landscape gives the club an opportunity to alter their pay structure for future years.

Stan Kroenke will provide Arsenal with a major cash injection to help ease the club through the coronavirus-induced financial crisis, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

But while the American businessman has promised privately to help them through this period, it is unclear how far he will dig deep into his own pockets for new contracts and new signings.

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles had been expected to host its first event on July 25, before NFL teams, the Rams and Chargers, move in. 

The mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, does not anticipate "large gatherings" in the city anytime this calendar year, though.

And while work on the stadium has continued, their project has made further news due to the fact two workers tested positive for the coronavirus, per Yahoo Sports. 

Sources in the U.S. told B/R that Kroenke would most likely not start cutting corners financially with Arsenal or the Rams, but it will be interesting to see how the two situations across the Atlantic play off each other in the coming months. 

For now, the big issue for fans to worry about is the situation surrounding top scorer Aubameyang.

He has 17 goals in the Premier League, but as he enters the final year of his contract, there is serious doubt about whether he can stay.

He earns around £200,000 a week and had been seeking an advance on that figure to sign a new deal. The chances of a substantial rise are now very slim.

Sources believe that, with the Gunners trying to lower their wage bill, Aubameyang is now likely to leave before he becomes a free agent in 2021.

Arsenal do not want to find themselves in a situation where he could leave on a free transfer.

Doubts are rising over the future of five other first-team players too.

B/R understands that Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi, Shkodran Mustafi, Ozil and Ainsley Maitland-Niles may all become available for transfer as Arsenal look to rebuild under Mikel Arteta. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also very likely to be loaned out again, though is available for transfer.

On the flip side, we should expect Arteta to continue refining his team—though with a limit on expectations.

The club are looking into potential free agents in Ryan Fraser of Bournemouth and Layvin Kurzawa of PSG, with both considered to be astute pick-ups.

They will also delve into the loan market for interesting options, with Luka Jovic of Real Madrid on the radar if he becomes available.

Names that have been linked, such as Philippe Coutinho, James Rodriguez and Ousmane Dembele, can be pushed to one side for now. 

Though Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid might prove realistic if the La Liga club are genuinely interested in a swap deal with Lacazette. There is an interest in him and a player-exchange could be the best chance of getting such a deal done. 

Listen to Dean on the B/R Football Ranks podcast. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe here.

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Paul Merson has said Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could help make Manchester United "a major force" after being linked to the Red Devils.

In his column for Sky Sports, Merson wrote the striker is one of the missing pieces of the puzzle for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with United expected to continue their latest rebuild in the summer:

"Aubameyang is what Manchester United are missing. He is a goalscorer and goalscorers are priceless."

"If you look at United and the way they played against Manchester City a couple of weeks ago, I thought they were very, very good. You looked at them and thought they have got a chance, especially if they could also get hold of a couple more players, especially a creative midfielder."

"You couldn't help but be impressed with their performance, and if they were to sign Aubameyang, and they also got someone like a Jack Grealish, are they big players? They would be a major force, in my opinion."

Would Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turn #MUFC into a major force again? https://t.co/XM5Y4BZMDI

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 20, 2020

Dave Fraser of The Sun reported United could make a £50 million swoop for Aubameyang, with the Gunners expecting their skipper to refuse a new contract. The 30-year-old will have 12 months of his deal remaining this summer, forcing Arsenal to sell if they want to avoid the player becoming a free agent.

Arsenal paid £56 million to sign Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, per Fraser, and they might be tempted to sell if they can recoup the majority of the original fee.

Aubameyang wouldn't be the first player to swap the Emirates Stadium for Old Trafford. Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez were both convinced to leave north London for Manchester.

Van Persie was Arsenal captain when he opted to depart in 2012, and he won the Premier League in his first season with United.

Solskjaer placed his faith in Anthony Martial as his No. 9 this season, and the 24-year-old has repaid his manager with 14 goals in 27 appearances in the Premier League and Europe.

The France international's strike rate has improved, but he's not in the top echelon of strikers in world football.

Aubameyang has proved himself to be an elite finisher in both the Bundesliga and Premier League. The Gabon international has scored 20 goals in 32 games this term, and he would make United a more dangerous outfit in the chase for silverware.  

Kieran Tierney has described his spell at Arsenal recovering from an injury as "the toughest time of my life."

The left-back arrived at the Emirates Stadium in the summer having built up a reputation as one of the most exciting full-backs in European football. However, his debut campaign has been ruined by fitness issues in North London; the Scot has been unavailable since December after dislocating his shoulder against West Ham United.

Speaking to Sport Bible (h/t Chris Burton of Goal), Tierney opened up on the difficulties he has faced this season:

"The night at West Ham away was a hard night for me. I knew I had dislocated my shoulder in the first 10, 15 minutes and straight away you know what you've done.

Then another 10 minutes, I did the same kind of thing. I landed differently. It was a set piece and my arm just went into a position that wasn't comfortable at all and dislocated. It was heartbreaking because in my head I knew I needed an operation. Three times in 30 minutes, nobody's shoulder should be going like that.

So in my head, I was like 'that's me out for another few months.' You know that and you know the devastation straight away. You can see it on my face. Being injured at the start of my Arsenal career was hard. Mentally, it was probably the toughest time of my life."

Per Mark Mann-Bryans of the Press Association, Tierney was training again before the recent suspension of the Premier League due to the coronavirus pandemic:

Of the first five players out for #AFC training, four are wearing snoods. The other is Kieran Tierney in t shirt and shorts.

— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MMBonF1) February 26, 2020

At Celtic, Tierney was wonderful to watch, offering a vibrant attacking presence on the left flank. At his best, the 22-year-old can dominate a wing with his energy and tenacity, while his consistent delivery into the penalty area gave forwards regular high-quality service.

As WhoScored.com relayed last summer, before moving to the Premier League, Tierney had proved he can play at a high level:

Kieran Tierney in the Europa League last season:

Apps -- 6⃣
Shots -- 3⃣
Goals -- 1⃣
Key passes -- 1⃣0⃣
Accurate crosses -- 6⃣
Tackles -- 1⃣0⃣
Interceptions -- 1⃣3⃣
Rating -- 7⃣.1⃣3⃣

For more player stats -- https://t.co/E3X4UEtC4a pic.twitter.com/ShDt806jee

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) July 28, 2019

Since moving to Arsenal, those moments of positive play have been in short supply. When he has been on the field, Tierney has yet to reach his potential, which is understandable given the struggles he has endured in relation to his fitness.

Arsenal supporters will be hoping that when the Premier League does resume, the left-back can string together a run of matches and rediscover some form. If he can, then the Gunners will have an exciting new dimension in their attacking play.

Arsenal have said manager Mikel Arteta is "feeling much better" following a period of self-isolation after he tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Gunners confirmed on March 12 that Arteta, 37, had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and he remains the only Premier League manager to have returned a positive test thus far.

Arsenal published a statement updating their fans on the manager's condition on Thursday, adding that Arteta is already back performing "detailed planning" with his players and the coaches.

"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."

That update came on the same day that it was announced the Premier League will be suspended until at least April 30, while the June 1 deadline for this season's conclusion has been "extended indefinitely."

The statement continued to say Arsenal are "fully supportive" of the decision to extend the season suspension, which they endorsed during Thursday's conference call between Premier League shareholders.

It was also confirmed the club's training centres will also reopen following a temporary closure, though players aren't due to return until their isolation periods have finished, per James Olley of the Evening Standard:

Training base at Colney now reopen. “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.”

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) March 19, 2020

The Gunners chief was diagnosed around the same time it emerged Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi also tested positive, though the winger said he was "feeling good" at the time:

Thank you for all your good wishes, as I said in the video I’m feeling good and hope to see you all soon!!🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/hn5d0ikm60

— Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) March 13, 2020

Arteta's wife, Lorena Bernal, posted a video via Instagram updating followers on his condition following the positive test, saying he had "some temperatures, some headaches, but nothing major."

The first-team squad and some members of the club's staff remain in self-isolation with dietary plans and specified training programmes to follow.

That extends to the women's and academy teams, who are also in quarantine.

James Benge of Football.London pointed to one section of Arsenal's statement specifying their work in supporting elderly people in the local community during this time:

One thing that may slip through the radar but really shouldn't in club statement is that Arsenal are liasing with groups in Islington to offer support to the most vulnerable parts of the community, including staff potentially ringing up eldery local people who feel isolated.

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) March 19, 2020

Arsenal were ninth in the Premier League at the time when English football was initially suspended, with Arteta hoping to lead his old club back to European qualification in his first season as a manager.

The north Londoners have lost only twice in 16 games since the former playmaker was appointed manager in December, with Arteta quickly becoming a fan favourite among supporters.

Arsenal have begun talks in a bid to sign 16-year-old Hammarby forward Emil Roback. 

The Swedish club's director of football Jesper Jansson confirmed the Gunners' interest, but he added there are a number of other clubs pursuing the youngster, including Bayern Munich, per Fotboll Direkt (h/t Metro):

"We were contacted and know about the interest [from Bayern]. He has also met Arsenal. There's a strong interest, and there are more clubs as well. He's also been to Arsenal. Yes, I understand the interest. He is a forward with a great physique and speed and already a skilled goalscorer."

Additionally, Hammarby scout Mikael Hjelmberg described Roback as having "extreme speed and is a natural goalscorer."

Roback's reputation as one of Hammarby's most promising players means he would be an exciting signing for the Gunners.

However, the prospect of going head to head with Bayern is a daunting one.

Arsenal have enjoyed an upturn in form since Mikel Arteta was appointed as Unai Emery's permanent successor in December.

Before the Premier League was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Gunners were on a run of eight games unbeaten, which had moved them up to ninth in the table:

How the table looks ahead of the weekend... pic.twitter.com/Npke6wZ3c4

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 11, 2020

Their prospects of playing any European football next season, let alone in the UEFA Champions League, remain slim, though.

Bayern, meanwhile, are top of the Bundesliga and are one of the favourites to win the Champions League this term after they thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in their last-16 first leg last month:

Bayern Munich are just the third team in history to win their first seven Champions League games of a season 💪 pic.twitter.com/7QbguvPl4o

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 26, 2020

For Roback, a Sweden under-17 international, joining the German giants may be a more attractive prospect than a move to a club in the Premier League's mid-table.

As such, Arsenal will need to make an attractive offer to the teenager, and they potentially have an edge over Bayern in that they can likely promise Roback a faster route to the senior side. 

David Luiz has discussed the difficulty of leaving Chelsea to join Arsenal last summer and said some staff at Stamford Bridge pleaded with him to "come back" in the week after his departure. 

Luiz told OTRO he decided to leave Chelsea (for the second time) before he discussed a transfer to Arsenal, but the initial transition to a second Premier League club was not simple:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSsXMAC2NPY

The 32-year-old won a Premier League title, a UEFA Champions League crown, two FA Cups and two UEFA Europa League trophies in two spells at Chelsea and was unsurprisingly missed in west London:

"I can be honest with you, the first three days or week was not easy to understand all the emotions or how I was feeling, because everybody knows my history with Chelsea.

"I had this connection with everyone at the club. It was so massive and big, and I was missing every single one.

"Every text message I was receiving, people were saying: 'Come back, come back, come back, come back, we are here for you.'"

His start at the Emirates Stadium was made more difficult when Mikel Arteta's predecessor, Unai Emery, came in for heavy scrutiny after results began to drop around October. The Gunners won only one of their last nine matches with him at the helm, conceding 18 times during that stretch.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville named Luiz—who joined Arsenal for £8 million—among other Arsenal defenders he suggested were "uncoachable" after Emery was sacked in November 2019:

"A man has lost his coaching role today. It has been messy, let’s be clear about this, these defenders like Mustafi, Sokratis and Luiz are uncoachable"

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 29, 2019

Luiz has cultivated a reputation as a bubbly, loud personality, and he referred to one older member of the Chelsea staff whom he missed in particular:

"I give you the example of a gentleman there who is 75 years old. He was taking breakfast with me at the time when he had the opportunity.

"He was texting me: 'I am still waiting for you here to take the breakfast again.' This kind of thing was so difficult for me, because I am someone that sees the heart as the most important thing.

"But then after that, in the professional way, I was saying: 'It is a new moment for you. It is another big thing for you to do. Maybe if you stay in the comfort zone it is not going to be the best thing for you?'"

His decision to move looks better now that Arteta is at the helm. Tightening the defence has been one of his biggest achievements since being appointed in December, and Arsenal have gone from keeping five clean sheets in 20 games this season under Emery to keeping eight in 16 matches with Arteta at the helm.

Mark Mann-Bryans of the Press Association highlighted the importance of a consistent back-line selection and lauded Luiz for his helping hand in that: 

Proof that Arteta is building from the back - sixth time in last seven games across all comps that Luiz & Mustafi have been the CB pairing - before then you have to go back to October for the last time Arsenal named the same two centre-backs in consecutive games. #AFC

— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MMBonF1) February 27, 2020

The Brazil international concluded: "If you look at my history of life I was never wishing to stay in the comfort zone. It was a top decision. [Arsenal] are a big club. I want to make this club improve and to shine again. The first days were difficult, but after that I started to adapt. Now I am so happy, and I want to do big, big things with Arsenal."

Not all Chelsea fans took it well at the time of his transfer that Luiz had swapped Chelsea for one of their London rivals, via Soccer AM:

Throwback to this Chelsea fan throwing some punches at the David Luiz poster live on Sky Sports News 🤣

Good jab on him to be fair 🥊 pic.twitter.com/CGBFAVJlC8

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) January 31, 2020

The prospects of winning silverware at Arsenal look more promising under Arteta.

Luiz—who boasts 56 caps for Brazil but hasn't made an international appearance since June 2017—has a contract at the Emirates until June 2021.

Arsenal won't have to wait long to benefit from the talents of William Saliba once the teenager finishes his loan with Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne and joins up with his new team-mates.

Instead, former Arsenal centre-back Mikael Silvestre believes Saliba will be an instant hit for the Gunners next season. Silvestre, who played for the north London club from 2008 to 2010, told Bet Pennsylvania (h/t Konstantinos Lianos of the Daily Express): "William Saliba will start from the get-go when he joins Arsenal next season. He's currently playing for a struggling Saint-Etienne side, but his performances have been good and he's been consistent."

Saliba signed with the Gunners last summer in a deal worth £27 million but remained with Saint-Etienne for the 2019/20 season. Even so, Saliba, who turns 19 on March 24, is being counted on to become the marquee central defender Arsenal have lacked since the days when Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell were at their peaks.

Silvestre, who played at left-back, is right to point out how well the fellow Frenchman has been performing since sealing the move. Saint-Etienne sit just above the bottom three in the French top flight, but Saliba's performances have been a rare bright spot for Claude Puel's beleaguered team.

Things have been tough in the league, but Saliba has helped Les Verts reach the final of the Coupe de France:

Arsenal fans might like this review of William Saliba's Coupe de France semi-final performance:
Magisterial match, always defended standing up, with strength and precision. And his interception and move forward with the ball led to the 91st minute winner. #AFC https://t.co/9LKeDOkulk

— Jeremy Smith (@jeremysmith98) March 5, 2020

Arsenal need a defender with the 6'4" Saliba's height, pace and technique. The Athletic's James McNicholas described him as "impassive, impassable" on the pitch.

The Gunners defence has been too easily overwhelmed for years, despite signs of improvement on the watch of head coach Mikel Arteta. He took over on December 26, and the Spaniard has overseen seven clean sheets during 15 matches across all competitions.

New personnel has played a key part in the improvement, with Flamengo loanee Pablo Mari catching the eye since arriving in January. Mari worked with Arteta briefly at Manchester City, and Arsenal didn't concede during the defender's first two starts.

While Mari has thrived, incumbent members of the squad have also been better. Among them, David Luiz has been a steady presence, forsaking some of the rash decisions usually associated with his game.

Mistake-prone Shkodran Mustafi has also shown a renewed confidence with Arteta at the helm:

Shkodran Mustafi says he never doubted his ability to shine at Arsenal 🤗

🗣 “You always get your chances, you always get the possibilities to go again.

"When you start thinking [like that], I think it’s when you retire from football." pic.twitter.com/DtSVzv3o4y

— GOAL (@goal) February 4, 2020

On Mustafi, I understand that on a couple of occasions in recent windows he was told by #AFC that they wanted him to leave — only to then be told they needed him to stay. The mixed messages can’t have helped his confidence but Arteta has brought some on-pitch clarity, at least.

— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) February 21, 2020

Mustafi and Luiz may have played their way into extending their Arsenal careers. Meanwhile, Mari can be signed permanently for £8 million, and he wants to stay in north London, per Goal's Charles Watts.

These many options means the competition for places will be crowded and intense when Saliba joins the mix. There have also been rumours linking Arteta with West Ham United's Issa Diop, per Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday Mirror.

If Arsenal do invest in a more established presence, it could be a sign Arteta is willing to let Saliba learn in the role of a squad player during his first season in England. Another alternative would be to switch to a back three, with Saliba and either Mari or another new arrival flanking Luiz.

Either way, Saliba figures to be an important part of Arteta's attempts to build a back line able to stay solid for years.

Pierre-Emerick Aubamyang's future at Arsenal continues to be the subject of much speculation, with some rumours suggesting the Gunners' leading goalscorer won't sign a new contract and will instead move on from north London.

Yet, Aubameyang's team-mate Bernd Leno believes the striker will stay put at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal goalkeeper Leno told his eSports channel (h/t Metro): "I think it depends if Auba signs a new contract or (if) he leaves. I don't know what they are going to do.  But if he leaves, of course, you need another player. But I think he's going to stay."

Leno was addressing a question about the Gunners' plans for this summer's transfer window. The Premier League club's strategy is likely to hinge on whether or not Aubameyang remains in the fold.

He's out of contract in the summer of 2021, and the 30-year-old has been linked with more than one top club. In fact, Sport (h/t Joe Brophy of the Sun) has reported La Liga leaders Barcelona remain keen on Aubameyang, who has family living near the city.

Aubameyang recently pledged his commitment to Arsenal during an interview with Rob Kelly of the club's official website: "I think it is really a pleasure to be here, I am really happy—that's my feeling."

Meanwhile, Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta has said he wants to keep Aubameyang "under any circumstances," per BBC Sport.

Arteta has made the former Borussia Dortmund man captain since replacing Freddie Ljungberg in the dugout on December 26. Aubameyang has responded by scoring seven goals across all competitions with Arteta at the helm.

Those goals have taken his tally to 20 in all competitions so far this season. He has 17 to his credit in England's top flight, keeping the Gabon frontman on pace to win the Golden Boot as the division's top scorer for a second year in a row, after sharing the award with Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in 2018-19.

The Premier League Golden Boot race:
1️⃣9️⃣ Jamie Vardy
1️⃣7️⃣ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
1️⃣6️⃣ Sergio Aguero
1️⃣6️⃣ Mohamed Salah
1️⃣5️⃣ Danny Ings pic.twitter.com/8aVi9FRCWC

— GOAL (@goal) March 9, 2020

Aubameyang remains the most prolific finisher in the Arsenal squad. His pace, timing and instincts, as well as the versatility to play wide or through the middle, make him crucial to Arteta's plans.

However, Abubameyang would also be an asset in a Barcelona squad needing more help up front. Lionel Messi continues to be the team's attacking talisman, but injuries have increased the burden on the 32-year-old.

Antoine Griezmann has been making only steady progress since arriving from Atletico Madrid last summer. It means the Blaugrana could use another goalscorer proven at the top level, and few can match Aubameyang's credentials.

While Arsenal would be reticent to let Aubameyang leave, there is no shortage of other talent in attacking areas for Arteta to call on. Specifically, 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli has impressed during his first season in England, helping himself to 10 goals in all competitions.

Arteta has already identified centre-forward as the Brazilian's best position:

Here's Mikel Arteta's quote from Saturday, when I asked him whether he sees Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Martinelli as centre-forwards, or whether he sees them as left-wingers. pic.twitter.com/xQKX9vJYVd

— Mark White (@markwhlte) March 9, 2020

The same is true of 20-year-old academy graduate Eddie Nketiah. He's started three games in the Premier League, scoring once, while also netting a pair of goals in FA Cup action.

Did someone call? 📞

Because Eddie answered 💥#UndertheLights #PORARS pic.twitter.com/t9lsEpIRA1

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2020

Nketiah and Martinelli offer strong support for Alexandre Lacazette. The 28-year-old is under contract until 2022 and has found the net in three of his last five appearances.

Arsenal have the strength in depth to weather letting Aubameyang walk in the summer. With holes to fix in defence and at the base of midfield, as well as adding more creativity, Arteta could use any funds raised by selling his prized asset to help accelerate his rebuild of the Gunners.

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has provided an update on his recovery after fracturing his ankle. He has also said manager Mikel Arteta "is improving" after he tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Torreira's season looked as though it had ended prematurely when he came off early in the 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Portsmouth in early March.

It was reported the setback would keep the Uruguay international sidelined for eight to 10 weeks, and he took to social media (h/t MailOnline's Tom Caldon) as he seeks to hasten his return: "Working and messing with recovery. All together, we will move forward."

#Yomequedoen🏡 Trabajando y metiendo con la recuperación 🦵🏻⚽️
🤜🏻 COVID-19 🦠
Todos juntos 🌍 💪🏻 vamos a salir adelante. #LT11 pic.twitter.com/tRBiWA6Hrq

— Lucas Torreira #LT14 (@LTorreira34) March 16, 2020

Torreira's chances of returning by the end of the season looked slim at the time of his diagnosis when Arteta suggested there was a chance he may have played his last game this term:

Mikel Arteta shares his thoughts on midfielder Lucas Torreira, who is unlikely to play again for Arsenal this season due to a fractured ankle pic.twitter.com/N1ihynyy6o

— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) March 9, 2020

The Premier League has since been suspended until at least April 4 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with the campaign looking likely to be either extended or cancelled altogether.

Torreira told Radio Sport 890 (h/t MailOnline's Kishan Vaghela): "I had to buy some devices, and the club will collaborate with everyone so that we can continue working individually in our homes. I'm happy because the exams were good. I'm still wearing the orthopaedic boot. In eight or 10 weeks I will be able to work normally."

Torreira now stands a better chance of having a greater effect on Arsenal's season post-recovery should the campaign resume, and Simon Collings of the Evening Standard praised his unique input:

Torreira could - at a push - make final League game against Watford on May 17 or FA Cup final (should Arsenal get there) on May 23, but that's effectively him done.

Blow for Arteta, particularly ahead of City, few in the squad who can do the job Torreira does.

— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) March 9, 2020

Arteta was the first Premier League figurehead to test positive for COVID-19, and Torreira spoke of the impact felt since the illness spread in England:

"The truth is that we didn't expect this virus to reach the club, the locker room. Mikel Arteta is better. He was able to communicate with us, and he is improving.

"In recent days, many cases of coronavirus were discovered in London and people were nervous. In some supermarkets, you can no longer find toilet paper or gel alcohol."

Arsenal sat ninth in the Premier League at the time when play was postponed, and Arteta's side were also due to face Sheffield United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Perhaps the Spaniard's greatest improvement since he was appointed has been tightening Arsenal's defence, but the Telegraph's Sam Dean highlighted another way in which Arteta is having a positive effect:

Back to work after two weeks away. Very good news for Arsenal that club doctor Gary O’Driscoll has changed his mind about joining Liverpool. He's a popular figure behind the scenes & his decision to stay is further evidence of the improved mood at #AFC since Arteta's appointment.

— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) March 16, 2020

Arsenal announced at the time of Arteta's positive test that the full first-team squad were to be put in self-isolation, and managing director Vinai Venkatesham said Arteta was "disappointed but in good spirits."

Torreira said he's "quarantined at home and am working on my own in recovery."

The South American added that plans to return to his native Uruguay were disrupted after "all the flights were cancelled due to the coronavirus."

The former Sampdoria star made 21 starts in 33 appearances this season prior to his injury, but Torreira will hope to grow his status among Arteta's ranks should the campaign resume.

Pablo Mari has identified the influence and performances of David Luiz as the key factors behind his fast start to life at Arsenal.

Mari joined the Gunners on loan from Flamengo during the January transfer window. He has since made two starts for the north London club, helping Arsenal keep a pair of clean sheets in the process.

The Spaniard described how starting alongside 32-year-old Luiz has helped him, per Football.London's James Benge:

"He's had a good career and is a good football player, and also playing with him is so easy. These two games with him in the starting XI were nice because I only focused on my job and I didn't need to focus on other jobs.

"This is easy when you want to have a big game. We know he's an experienced player and sometimes when you need to do different things in the last minutes, like when you need to make calls or something like this, he can do it. For us, it's easy to play with him."

A proven track record of winning and some veteran savvy are among the best qualities Luiz offers a team. The decorated Brazil international is also technically proficient on the ball, able to build moves from the back with a range of passes to release runners between the lines.

Yet, for all his notable attributes, Luiz is often viewed as a mistake-prone liability. He can be guilty of costly lapses in judgement and reckless challenges.

He is at his best when he's partnered with a centre-back who offers a natural complement. Mari has proved up to the task thanks to his height, willingness to compete in the air and strength on the deck.

Those traits helped Arsenal earn a 2-0 win away to Portsmouth in the fifth round of the 2020 FA Cup. This was followed by a 1-0 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League, the last game before play was suspended until at least April 3 in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus:

Pablo Mari today became the first centre-back to keep a clean sheet on his Premier League debut for #Arsenal since Per Mertesacker against Swansea in September 2011 https://t.co/gBOdLdFLjc

— Tom Ede (@TomEde1) March 7, 2020

Welcome to Emirates Stadium, Pablo Mari 😎

🔴 @PabloMV5 ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Y2NLFBPCj0

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 9, 2020

Clean sheets had been a rarity for the Gunners this season, but things have improved defensively since Mikel Arteta took charge on December 26. Arsenal haven't conceded in seven games across all competitions on the former skipper's watch.

Mari, who worked with Arteta at Manchester City, has been a big part of the revival. He can make his move from Brazil permanent for just £8 million in the summer.

It's a possibility the 26-year-old would welcome, per Goal's Charles Watts: "I want to play a lot of years here with Arsenal. I am really happy now."

If Mari stays, he could partner William Saliba next season, once the 18-year-old has arrived from his season-long loan with Saint-Etienne. Alternatively, the experience of Luiz could still be needed to help underpin a back line undergoing a much-needed and long overdue transition.