Mikel Arteta says he was 'surprised' that Arsenal's game with Brentford was not called off due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Gunners' squad.
Arteta's side were without captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for the opening night of the Premier League after the attacking pair both tested positive for the virus.
Willian and back-up goalkeeper Alex Runarsson also returned positive tests. Arsenal were subsquently beaten 2-0 by Thomas Frank's newly promoted side but Arteta admitted he had been expecting the game to be postponed before kick-off.
'Yes, I was surprised but the regulators decided the best thing to do was to play the game,' Arteta said at his press conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Chelsea.