Arsenal are investigating the reason behind Willian’s decision to travel to Dubai during the international break with the midfielder now required to provide a negative coronavirus test before he returns to training.
The 32-year-old was not called up to Brazil’s national squad and has instead spent time in Dubai, despite the UK’s current lockdown restrictions preventing people from any ‘non-essential travel’ abroad.
Current guidelines from the The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office state that people returning from the United Arab Emirates after November 14 do not need to self-isolate.
According to The Telegraph, Willian will be unable to return to training until he provides a negative Covid-19 test, while Arsenal are still ‘trying to establish the full facts’ regarding Willian’s decision to leave the country.
During his trip, Willian visited the Nusr-Et steakhouse where he posed for a picture with its owner ‘Salt Bae’. Willian had struggled for form before the international break and has failed to register an assist since Arsenal’s victory over Fulham in their opening match of the new campaign.
The Brazilian, who was one of Chelsea’s standout players last season, is yet to score for the Gunners. Speaking before Arsenal’s defeat to Aston Villa, Arteta defended Willian’s inconsistent performances.
‘We’ve been changing the front three, he had an injury and he didn’t have any time to train, any pre-season, he was later than the others,’ said the Arsenal manager.
As well the personality and stamina he has on the pitch to manage the game we need to in certain moments and at Old Trafford I think he did that really well.’
Arsenal, meanwhile, will already be without Mohamed Elneny for their Premier League clash with Leeds on Sunday as the midfielder is self-isolating in Cairo after testing positive for coronavirus.
