GUNN FIRED

55 REDUNDANCIES at the Emirates to save the equivalent of Ozil’s wages for one month leaves players gutted

ARSENAL are making 55 staff redundant – but are still pushing ahead with their transfer plans.

The heavy financial impact of the coronavirus crisis means the Gunners are laying off people from their commercial department, administration and football operations, although it is unlikely to affect the first team.

It is believed some players are upset at the job losses because they agreed a 12.5 per cent pay cut during lockdown on the understanding it would protect the club’s workers – only for huge redundancies now to be imposed.

And most of the positions under threat are understood to be going from

the commercial operation with Arsenal’s scouting department – which has already made cuts – also hit. Renowned scout Francis Cagigao, Brian Mcdermott and several others on 12-month contracts from their famed Hale End academy could all be affected.

The news comes despite Arsenal preparing to make big-name signings with Chelsea’s Brazil star Willian, 32 on Sunday, set to arrive on a threeyear contract worth £150,000 a week.

They are also confident of tying down Pierre-emerick Aubameyang (above) to a new deal worth

£250,000 a week and top earner Mesut Ozil has a year left of his £350,000-a-week contract.

It prompted a social media backlash from fans and the club knows it faces a difficult moral argument as to why they can cut nearly 10 per cent of its staff, while still buying new stars.

Tottenham and Liverpool both reversed decisions to furlough staff after an outcry and now Arsenal, who did not take Government cash, are suffering the same anger.

Head of football Raul Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham addressed all the staff yesterday.

The players were told shortly afterwards just before a public announcement was made. Arsenal hope to save huge sums and insist it is still necessary to invest in the squad to ensure future success.