The Arsenal u23s have had to cancel their friendlies against Welling United and Bournemouth, and postpone further games against Bromley and Boreham Wood.

Welling United Football Club confirmed on Thursday morning that due to unforeseen circumstances, the Arsenal u23s had to pull out of their fixture planned for next Tuesday.

Daily Cannon then learned that the AFC Bournemouth game on Saturday was also likely to be called off, with players having to isolate.

This cancellation has been confirmed by Arsenal in a statement covered by The Athletic, who add that the friendlies against Bromley and Boreham Wood have been postponed.

Members of the u18s and u23s have been forced into isolation after positive Covid tests at London Colney, though the problem is reportedly not widespread. It also doesn’t affect the first team, who are away in Scotland anyway, nor the women’s team.

All players are feeling well, so there’s no need for concern on that front either.

It’s certainly a shame, and we’ll have to wait for the new details on when the fixtures will actually take place. But at least it’s still very early in pre-season and there’s plenty of time to reschedule the games before the competitive fixtures get underway.