Just 24 hours after Juventus defender Daniele Rugani became the first top-flight player to test positive for COVID-19, the football world lurched into another crisis. Both Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have fallen victim to the deadly coronavirus. 

Arsenal have put their training ground in lockdown as a result of Arteta's positive test, with players and club staff who had recent close contact with the Spaniard now forced to self-isolation. 

"This is really disappointing," Arteta said in a statement on Arsenal's website. "I took the test after feeling poorly. I will be at work as soon as I'm allowed." 

"Mikel and the full first-team squad, players and staff, will be fully supported," Arsenal's head of football Raul Sanllehi added. "We look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows. Obviously Mikel's full recovery is the priority now for us all."

Chelsea also later confirmed personnel who had recent close contact with Hudson-Odoi, who is the first Premier League player to be confirmed with the virus, will now self-isolate in accordance with Government health procedures.

"Callum displayed symptoms similar to a mild cold on Monday morning and has not been at the training ground since then as a precaution. However, his test came in positive this evening and he will undergo a period of self-isolation," Chelsea said in a statement.

"Despite testing positive for the virus, Callum is doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible."

"We will continue to adhere to Government and Public Health Guidelines with regard to our facilities and staff and will be discussing next steps with regards to upcoming fixtures with the Premier League on Friday morning. We will provide further updates as necessary via the club's website."

"We wish Callum a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to the club soon."

Premier League U-turn

Less than an hour before Arteta's announcement, Premier League said in a statement that this weekend's fixtures would go ahead as planned. The decision came after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson chaired a COBRA meeting on Thursday, concluding schools would not shut and major sporting events would not be canceled. 

But the latest development regarding Arsenal and Arteta prompted a dramatic U-turn for Premier League, who announced that an emergency meeting would be held on Friday morning. 

According to BBC, all 20 Premier League clubs want to decide on a unified strategy, and one of the possible options that will be discussed at the meeting is postponing the rest of this weekend's scheduled fixtures. 

Arsenal's Premier League match at Manchester City on Wednesday has already been postponed after Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis contracted the virus.  

Marinakis, 52, met a number of Arsenal's players and staff when the Gunners faced Olympiakos in a Europa League tie in February.

English giants in lockdown

Arsenal and Chelsea are just the latest Premier League clubs to be hit by COVID-19.  

Former Premier League Champions Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed three of his team are displaying signs of the deadly disease and have been isolated from the rest of the squad. 

Asked about the effect of the outbreak on Premier League football, Rodgers said: "Of course, from a football perspective, it would be a shame, but the public's health is the most important aspect in all of this."

"Working in football, it's about having that agility to move with what's happening in football. We're guided by football and federations. We have to press on with our work and prepare as normal. The game is all about the players and the fans. If you have one of those not there, it's obviously not the same," he added.

Manchester City said one unnamed member of their squad, reportedly France defender Benjamin Mendy, is in self-isolation after a family member suffered a respiratory illness. 

The relative is being treated in hospital and has undergone tests for the coronavirus, which can cause shortness of breath. 

European football in crisis 

Meanwhile, Manchester City's Champions League last 16, second leg with Real Madrid and Lyon's trip to Juventus became the latest high-profile football matches to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Juventus were quarantined after Rugani case, while Real Madrid players have also been put into isolation after one of the club's basketball players tested positive for the virus. Both matches were due to take place on Tuesday, March 17. 

As it stands, Wednesday's two last 16, second legs between Bayern Munich and Chelsea and Barcelona and Napoli are still set to go ahead behind closed doors. 

However, UEFA is to have a crisis meeting on Tuesday with representatives from all 55 national associations and club and player bodies to decide how national leagues, European competitions and Euro 2020 should proceed. 

Serie A in Italy, the European country worst hit by the virus, has already suspended its matches until April 3. 

Matches have been suspended for two weeks in Spain, while France's Ligue 1 will continue its season but without spectators.

Copa Libertadores chopped 

Elsewhere, South American football's governing body CONMEBOL on Thursday suspended the next round of Copa Libertadores fixtures over coronavirus concerns. 

The Copa Libertadores is the South American equivalent of Europe's Champions League, although the 2020 edition only began in January and is still at the group stage. 

Earlier on Thursday, FIFA accepted a request from CONMEBOL to postpone two upcoming rounds of South American qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Latin American countries have been stepping up measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Several countries have announced two-week isolation periods on travelers arriving from the worst affected countries, while others have closed schools or banned festivities. 

Brazil's Flamengo are the reigning Libertadores champions following a dramatic 2-1 victory over then-holders River Plate of Argentina in last year's final in Lima. 

(With input from agencies)