Premier League side, Arsenal, have cancelled their pre-season tour over COVID-19 concerns days before jetting out to the United States.

UK Mirror reports that Mikel Arteta’s side was billed to fly across the Atlantic this week to step up their preparations for the new Premier League season.

However, the plans were called off after a small number of positive cases in the Arsenal camp have forced them to cancel the tour, according to The Athletic.

All cases are understood to be asymptomatic, with the club looking at alternative plans to get up to speed before the new season gets underway against Brentford on August 13.

The Gunners were due to take part in the Florida Cup, playing two games and competing alongside Inter Milan, Everton and Millonarios.

Arsenal were due to face Inter at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium this Sunday before taking on the winner of Everton and Millonarios the following Wednesday.

UK Metro, quoting Il Corriere dello Sport, also reports that there were already major concerns surrounding this summer’s Florida Cup after Inter informed the organisers they wished to withdraw due to the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

The Nerazzurri, the reigning Serie A champions, have been keen to avoid long trips overseas and reluctant to participate in crowded events.

Meanwhile, Everton are still planning to fly out for the pre-season tournament as it stands, according to reports.