ARSENAL HAVE pledged a £100,000 donation to help fight the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement the club said: “Arsenal Football Club has never shied away from responding to the needs of its community.

“In these uncertain times we are taking a series of steps to ensure our local and global communities receive our full support.

“The Arsenal Foundation will donate £100,000 to local charities and organisations that are supporting those most in need during this COVID-19 crisis. We are in constant dialogue with Islington Council and our partners in the NHS to ensure this response is aligned with their priorities and supports those most vulnerable.  

“A further £50,000 already donated to local community initiatives by The Arsenal Foundation, in partnership with Islington Giving, will also be re-directed to Islington Giving’s Crisis Fund as part of this COVID-19 community response.”

Supporting NHS workers

The club also revealed that it will make all its Arsenal in the Community cars available to transport NHS mental health workers delivering vital medication and emergency supplies.

“From Tuesday, March 24, we will make all Arsenal in the Community cars available to transport front line NHS mental health workers” the statement said. “Driven on a voluntary basis by Arsenal in the Community staff, this service will support NHS workers in delivering vital medication and emergency supplies.”

The statement added that the club is in ongoing dialogue with Islington Council to ensure the club can prioritise helping those most in need.

Global outreach

The club will also extend its efforts to its partners in other parts of the world and will work I countries such as Indonesia and Jordan where The Arsenal Foundation runs its Coaching for Life programme with the charity Save the Children.

Managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: “Arsenal Football Club exists to make our fans proud and create a sense of community for people in Islington, across the UK and around the world. During these uncertain and unprecedented times, we will endeavour to ensure that remains the case.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was the first high-profile coronavirus case in the Premier League. 

He has now recovered from the disease, but the whole Arsenal squad are continuing to train in isolation, away from the club’s London Colney training ground.