Mikel Arteta says he is “feeling better already” as he recovers from coronavirus.

It was confirmed that the Arsenal head coach had tested positive on Thursday evening, a development that has now seen all Premier League matches suspended until at least April.

The whole first-team squad and several backroom staff are now in self-isolation at the Emirates. But Arteta says he is already on the mend.

“Thanks for your words and support. Feeling better already,” he said. “We’re all facing a huge & unprecedented challenge.

“Everyone’s health is all that matters right now. Protect each other by following the guidelines and we’ll come through this together.Well done PL for making the right decisions.”

The Football Association, the Premier League, the English Football League, FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have all agreed to call a halt to competitive action with immediate effect until early April.

The Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Professional Football League issued a joint statement saying all football in that country was being suspended until further notice. In Wales and Northern Ireland, the domestic and grassroots season has been put on hold until April 4 at the earliest.

The England cricket team have cut short their tour of Sri Lanka, while the year’s first golf major, the Masters, has been postponed, following the cancellation of the Players Championship event in Florida this week.

The Wales v Scotland Six Nations rugby union match, which had been the only one of the original three ties due to be played this weekend still standing after games in France and Italy had been called off earlier, has now been postponed.

Formula One races in Bahrain and Vietnam this month and next have been cancelled, following on from Thursday’s announcement that the season-opening race in Australia this coming weekend had been called off.

Government advice on mass gatherings in England and Wales has not changed despite the decision on Thursday to move into the ‘delay’ phase in tackling the virus, but the spread of the illness among competitors has forced the hand of organisers.

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