A lot was written over Arsenal making 55 members of staff redundant.
That news took up many more column inches than Arsenal donating over £100,000 in free meals during the lockdown.
More than was written about Arsenal paying staff to work in food banks rather than furlough them.
And even more than was written about Arsenal staff and players calling round vulnerable fans checking on their well being.
Meanwhile over at Tottenham…
Keenos
I wonder if Aaron Ramsey now regrets leaving Arsenal?
Yes, he has a Serie A medal that will now be tucked away in a safe somewhere, but after starting just 11 league games for the Old Lady, his time in Turin could be over after just one season.
He never really fitted Maurizio Sarri’s style of play and he is reportedly ‘unwanted’ by new manager Andrea Pirlo.
Yes, he has earned himself a lot of money (£400,000 a week) and has an Italian league title win added to his Wikipedia page, but I bet there is plenty of regret in his mind.
Arsenal had a contract on the table for many months that Ramsey was reportedly happy with. Meanwhile his agent continued to pimp his client round Europe to drum up interest. Eventually Arsenal got bored of his agents behaviour and pulled the deal.
He certainly does not look overly happy to be a winner.
Other Arsenal news about at the moment is a couple of youngsters off on loan.
Zak Swanson has joined MVV Maastricht whilst Zech Medley has gone to Gillingham.
Probably a make or break move for the pair who are both now 20-years-old. If they are to break into Arsenal;s first team squad in 12 months time, they will have to rise to the top during their respective time away.
Keenos
‘How would Arsenal make a saving by paying up Mesut Ozil’s contract?’ I saw for a few ask in response to John Cross’s article declaring that “Arsenal offer to pay off Mesut Ozil’s £18m contract to free up funds for new recruits”.
The question is a reasonable one that is worthwhile asking and exploring.
Were Arsenal to just pay off Ozil’s last year of his contract, it would save the club nothing. However if Arsenal can negotiate a pay off, they might be able to free up some cash even if they do end up paying the full value of the contract.
Arsenal could agree with Ozil that he defers some of his salary.
That he takes £10million now to cancel his contract and a further £8million in 12 months time. This would free up £8million in funds this summer, although reduce next summers funds by £8million.
‘But why would Ozil accept being paid late’ you ask. Another reasonable question.
By having his contract cancelled, Ozil would be free to join another side, and drawing a salary from them.
So he could pocket £10million now, sign a £6.5million a year deal with a Turkish side (£125k a week), and pick up a further £8million in 12 months time for Arsenal.
Instead of pocketing £18million over 12 months, he would be picking up £24.5million.
The advantage for Arsenal is it would immediately free up £8million to be invested elsewhere on wages and amortised transfer fees.
For £8million, Arsenal could pay a new signing £75,000 a week (£3.9m a year).
If they secure the new player on a 5 year deal, Arsenal could pay out a £20million transfer fee and amortise it over the length of the contract – meaning that Arsenal only “declare” 1/5 of the transfer fee each year the player is at the club.
So for 2020/21, that new player would cost Arsenal ~£7.9million (£3.9million in salary, £5million in amortised transfer fee).
It might not seem like much, but ending Ozil’s contract and kicking some of his wage down the road would allow Arsenal to sign someone like Gabriel Magalhaes – or the majority of his transfer and salary at least.
Of course, it would impact Arsenal’s transfer budget next season, but the hope would by then fans are back in the ground and Arsenal are back in the Champions League. At which point paying Ozil £8million for 2021/22 would not have the impact on finances it would now.
The other option that is widely known is that Arsenal “top up” his wages.
So lets say he joins Istanbul Basaksehir, who are after a marques player to replace outgoing Robinho, Arsenal would make up the difference between what the Turkish outfit are paying him and what he would have received from Arsenal.
So if he agrees a £125k a week deal with a side, Arsenal pay him £225k a week. The saving is still the same in £8million, but Arsenal would not need to pay him his contract in full. Just the difference.
The financial benefits of getting Ozil off the books are huge, and will allow Edu and Arteta to bring in additional players who and hungry, have the desire to play football and want to be here.
Note: Some will reply to this that “Ozil does not need to agree to end his contract or leave Arsenal”. Those people are right, but they are also not really Arsenal fans. They are more interested in defending Ozil then wanting what is best for Arsenal.
Keenos
