PREMIER LEAGUE bosses admit they are powerless in their battle to get stars vaccinated.
Arsenal and Chelsea both have players in isolation ahead of tomorrow’s derby as Covid continues to cause havoc.
Gunners quartet Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Willian and Alex Runarsson all tested positive last week, while Chelsea duo Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were ruled out yesterday.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was shocked that last week’s opener at Brentford was not called off — even though they did not request a postponement.
Arteta, who only has Aubameyang from the Covid-hit players back in training, said: “We had an incredible 48 hours before that match which created a big uncertainty and probably an unprecedented Arsenal line-up.
“For me, it was simple. My best players have Covid and they cannot play.
“So we did what we had to do and the club doctor explained the situation, how it had developed and the risks that we considered.
“But the regulators decided that the best thing to do was to play the game.
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“Most of the players are double vaccinated and others have had one. But some were vaccinated and still got the virus and we have had some cases that you cannot believe how they picked it up.
“We are encouraging them all to get vaccinated because they are going to protect themselves, their families and the environment around the club.
“I don’t know if some people were completely convinced to do it at the beginning, but you see the benefits at the moment are much bigger.
“So we are trying to guide them and explain the reasons why it’s better to do it — but in the end it’s a personal decision.”
Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel saw Pulisic ruled out even though he is doubled jabbed.
And the German thinks Arsenal’s Covid woes will heap extra pressure on his team when they visit the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.
Tuchel said: “I don’t know what their team will be — but their situation is a bit like they can play the underdog role here because of the complications they have had with Covid.
“It is not my role to tell my players to get vaccinated, but this is clearly the recommendation from the doctors and the medical department.
“I am vaccinated twice and so are a lot of my players, including Christian.
“Any time this virus comes back and spreads with variations it’s possible it could harm football, as it does with society and social life.”
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says there is no way he can force his players to get vaccinated.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson is still struggling with long Covid nearly two months after getting the virus.
Solskjaer said: “Not all of the players have been double jabbed. I have encouraged them to take the vaccination but you cannot force anyone to do that.
“The whole situation around Covid is unknown and new for everyone. People get it who are not as fit as footballers and show no symptoms.
“Footballers can then have after effects, side effects like tiredness. It’s a scary virus and you need to be careful.”
Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola added: “No one can obligate them to do it.
“I think the best way is to explain to them the benefits of being vaccinated, for themselves and for their families.
“After that, everyone is going to decide but when all the scientists, doctors and specialists say that the only solution is to be vaccinated, I think they should consider it.”
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, who has keeper Karl Darlow recovering from Covid, said: “We’ve got a lot of players who haven’t had the jab.
“There are opinions, just like if you walked in among your mates. If you’ve got a group of 20, you’re not all going to have the same opinion. There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there.”
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