LONDON: Mikel Arteta is furious with some of his Arsenal players who are anti-vaccine after Granit Xhaka became the latest victim of COVID-19.

The midfielder, Xhaka, 28, had to be quarantined in Switzerland after being found positive during an international assignment last week.

The Arsenal manager lost his temper with a handful of his players ignoring the club’s instructions to get two vaccinations.

“Players will be hindered in some aspects if they don’t get vaccinated because we don’t want to be exposed to the virus.

“If they travel or socialize in a certain place and they are not vaccinated, the risk increases and we don’t want it to happen in our group because the team will suffer the consequences.

“We try to explain the reason why we believe it’s the right thing to do and make sure everyone understands it.

“Some players don’t want to be vaccinated because maybe it’s related to a health problem, maybe it’s against their beliefs or the way they were educated.

“But we want the best for the club by trying to reduce the risk of players being infected with the virus and spreading it to others.

“Granit has to stay in his country until Saturday (tomorrow) and as soon as he is released to travel, he will come back with us. But the vaccine is not an obligation and we have to respect it,” Arteta said.

Arsenal received the biggest blow with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Ben White, Willian and Alex Runarsson missing the game this season as a result of a positive COVID-19.