Torreira confirms Arteta has spoken to players after contracting coronavirus

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has confirmed that boss Mikel Arteta has spoken to his players since contracting coronavirus.

A statement from the club on Thursday evening confirmed that the Spaniard had become the first person in the Premier League to fall victim to the virus.

Arteta's wife, Lorena Bernal, offered a positive update on his condition at the weekend, but Torreira admitted he was surprised to see the coronavirus reach the dressing room.

'The truth is that we didn't expect this virus to reach the club, the locker room,' Torreira told Uruguayan outlet Radio Sport 890.

'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.'

The 24-year-old also said that he is on course to return from his ankle injury in eight to ten weeks time from an ankle injury.

Torreira fractured his ankle in the first half of Arsenal's 2-0 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup fifth round, but was pleased that scans did not reveal more serious damage.

'I'm quarantined at home and am working on my own in recovery. I had to buy some devices and the club will collaborate with everyone so that we can continue working individually in our homes,' he continued.

'I'm happy because the exams were good. I'm still wearing the orthopaedic boot. In eight or ten weeks I will be able to work normally.

'It's difficult for the family to be away. Today I would have to be traveling to Uruguay, but all the flights were cancelled due to the coronavirus.'