That’s exactly what I’ll be doing for the next three weeks after government here in the UK announced that there will be no lifting of any lockdown restrictions for the foreseeable. How can there be when so many lives are still being lost and no vaccination has been discovered? That date will take us well into May and there’s no guarantee things will be any easier then. The worst thing sport could do is suddenly allow football to open its gates and allow 50,000 odd people into any one stadium that’s for sure. Of course we all want this pandemic to end but not because of sport.
The pay cut saga rolls on at Arsenal but it does seem like an agreement is close. Well, kind of as there’s near to a 50/50 split amongst the players as to who will take the according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
It is unclear how the players who rejected the proposal, which has not yet been formally signed off by all parties, will be affected. The development is a dramatic turnaround given the initial response to the letter sent to the squad via Hector Bellerin, who has acted as a conduit in negotiations owing to his position as the club’s Professional Footballers’ Association representative.
Each player was invited to reply through WhatsApp with a tick or a cross over the weekend and the result was thought have been 13 in favour and 14 against.
- Mesut Ozil – X
- Granit Xhaka – ✔️
Just kidding of course as I’ve no idea who would be in support of the pay cut and who wouldn’t but for those at the club who do find out, they’ll learn a lot about the individual players and where Arsenal sits on their list of priorities. Saying that, it must be more difficult for a younger player who is ‘only’ earning around £20,000 a week than a teammate who is earning ten times that amount. Pff!
Should Arsenal and the players come to some agreement and an official announcement is made, they’ll be the first Premier League club to do so. The PFA has discouraged such arrangements though so Arsenal aren’t going to be popular as I’m sure other clubs will soon push for similar agreements between players and executives.
The Daily Mail reported late yesterday afternoon that dear old Stan Kroenke is set to invest in HIS club too so that the financial struggles Arsenal are going through are lessened. How much this alleged investment will be isn’t said. I didn’t think he was permitted to inject his own cash into the club under the FFP rules but clearly I’ve got that totally wrong.
Yesterday I signed up for a free 90 day trial with The Athletic, purely because that’s where David Ornstein and Amy Lawrence can usually be found. One is a staunch Arsenal fan like all of us, the other always seems to be ahead of others when it comes to what’s going on inside the game. There’s an interesting article about the players we missed on during Arsene Wenger’s time at Arsenal although not written by either of the above. James McNicholas is behind this one and Dick Law has provided the reasons why many anticipated signings never arrived. Players like Hazard, Vardy, Mata, Kante, Mahrez etc. Even Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano who we were offered on loan. If you have a spare five minutes, it’s worth a read.
Hopefully all this pay stuff will get sorted real soon and the club can move on. To transfers, we all love transfers and the rumours which appear around this time of year. Yep, you guessed it. That’s the real reason I signed up to The Athletic.…..
Stay safe guys and stay healthy…
Good morning Rico, I believe all holidays are off at least until a vaccine can be found. 😉
Morning Cicero. Rightly so imo.
Rico, your proof reader needs an update. Perhaps I should have used the word “vacation”, not holiday. 😷
That’ll be me then Cicero. 😆
It’s sorted now, thanks.
Are you sure it’s not because you have a little crush on Ornstein, Rico?!! Just kidding 😄
Nice read btw.. watch this space with regards to the pay cuts etc… just be a matter of time before all teams have to take cuts!
I’ve just been looking at the long list of players whose contracts expire on July 1st… 57 of them!! Not that we’re any closer to the season resuming…
The epithet “hero” has become commonplace in today’s celebrity culture with all sorts of people lauded as such by the popular press. But one person stands out by miles from the rest and deserves the accolade like no other. Captain Tom.
Just days away from his one hundredth birthday he has inspired the Nation by his fundraising efforts simply by walking around his garden. Ten laps per day with the aid of his Zimmer frame he has raised £17 million for NHS charities.
What spirit, what dedication and what an example to the rest of us.
Captain Tom deserves a Knighthood!
You can sign a petition here
https://www.express.co.uk › News › UK
or here
https://metro.co.uk › News › UK
There are others, so why not back the call for a real Hero to become a Knight of the Realm.
Thanks Sue, I too think other clubs will introduce a pay cut..
Ornstein, no thank you… 😆
Why am I in moderation Rico?
No idea Cicero, have you included a few links by chance?
I’ll look now.
If it’s the links, just knock them off Rico.
Googling the petition is easy enough.
Why am I in moderation Rico?
Why am I in isolation ?
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-flights-bring-15-000-people-a-day-to-uk-without-screening-bn255vtjs
😂 Rico!
I’ve got to take my dog to the vet this afternoon for a check up – should be interesting, no not the check up, getting her in and out and paying for it!
Won’t you have to pay over the phone Sue? Nothing wrong I hope..
Hi Rico if it’s correct that Kroenke is going to put money into club does that make some of my idea’s not quite a stupid LOL
I found it Cicero. What a guy he is…
Hi Rico and All I see 2 ways that could solve the players pay cut
(1) just pick a percentage for ex sample 10% pay cut all players
(2) under 100,000 per week pay cut 10% over 100.000 per week pay cut 20%
then any player who refuses to take pay cut sell them
Rico have you heard from Scott haven’t seen him on here for a few days
Thanks Rico, £18 million now. He deserves to be honoured.
The Athletic it sounds to me.very well. It reminds me of Athletic Bilbao (the best in Spain :-))
Norman Hunter – RIP
No Arsenal at TV.
You were right, Rico – over the phone it is! All is good.. she’ll be on meds for the rest of her life, so they like to see her every so often.
I’ve just seen that the spuds have asked Poch and his staff to take a pay cut – yes they’re still being paid! 😳 So I guess it’ll be the same for Emery and his assistants too then..
Nice one, Cicero.. I agree about Captain Tom being honoured…bless him, at his age and what he’s accomplished, it’s phenomenal! Bravo 👏
Hi Geoff, Scott has been here recently I’m sure but I have seen him on FB too.
Sue, I’ve forgotten what it is that Coco has… ☹️
She has inflamed bowel syndrome, Rico…. she’s ok though 🙂
How is your dog?
Nice to see Mustafi mark his birthday with a donation to the Arsenal foundation..which will see over 16,000 meals and other emergency supplies delivered to the most vulnerable in Islington.
Nice one, Shkodran… and Happy Birthday 👍
Kidney issues Sue, but otherwise she’s ok thanks.
Good on Mustafi…
https://mobile.twitter.com/Podolski10/status/1251203817762324481/photo/1
😍
Love the Pod.
Wouldn’t mind his pool. 🏊♀️
Good night all, sleep well, sleep safe. 😷
New post up now