Arsenal have submitted a request to the Premier League asking for Sunday's North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur to be postponed.
The Gunners only have one confirmed coronavirus case in their squad, with Martin Odegaard testing positive for the virus, but the capital outfit will be missing a number of other first-team players.
Granit Xhaka is absent through suspension, while Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac and Cedric Soares are fitness doubts.
Mikel Arteta's side are also without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Nicolas Pepe due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
As a result, Arsenal are believed to have just 12 outfield first-team players available for Sunday's contest, which is less than the 13 required for the fixture to go ahead under the new COVID-19 guidelines.
"The Premier League has received a postponement request from Arsenal FC relating to their away match against Tottenham Hotspur, due to be played at 4.30pm on Sunday 16 January," read a statement from the Premier League.
"The Premier League Board will meet tomorrow to review the application and inform both clubs and their fans of its decision."
According to the the Daily Mail, Tottenham have been left 'angered' by Arsenal's request, which comes less than 48 hours before the match is due to start.
The Gunners played out a 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Thursday night.
Matt Law
