Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Thursday, August 6.
Willian set for Arsenal move
Former Chelsea attacker Willian has agreed a three-year contract with Arsenal, according to ESPN.
Willian, 31, has been at Chelsea since 2013 but was unable to agree an extension with the Blues. It was believed he wanted to remain in London, and Arsenal have afforded him that chance with a three-year contract.
There had been speculation that Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur would make a move for the winger, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami also said to have made an offer to the player.
Instead, he will now move to the Emirates as part of Mikel Arteta’s plans for next season.
Ian Wright sends a strong message after Arsenal job cuts
Ian Wright has jumped on social media in the wake of Arsenal announcing staff redundancies.
Wednesday saw the club announce that 55 staff would be made redundant as a direct consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.
A statement on the club website read: “Over recent years we have consistently invested in additional staff to take the club forward but with the expected reduction of income in mind. It is now clear that we must reduce our costs further to ensure we are operating in a sustainable and responsible way, and to enable us to continue to invest in the team.
“Our aim has been to protect the jobs and base salaries of our people for as long as we possibly can. Unfortunately, we have now come to the point where we are proposing 55 redundancies.
“We do not make these proposals lightly and have looked at every aspect of the club and our expenditure before reaching this point. We are now entering the required 30-day consultation period on these proposals.”
The news has been met with disappointment among the Arsenal fanbase, with Wright taking to Twitter to share his opinion.
“Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent!!!” he wrote on his Twitter account alongside three disappointed face emojis.
Emiliano Martinez drops Arsenal transfer bombshell
Emiliano Martinez has admitted he may need to leave Arsenal to facilitate greater first-team opportunities.
Martinez, 27, has been in fine form following the injury to Bernd Leno, and his season reached a peak with victory in the FA Cup final, a moment that brought the Argentinian to tears afterwards.
The Gunners are keen to extend Martinez’s contract, but the stopper will only look to agree fresh terms if it comes with assurances over his playing time.
“I showed that I can play, I need to play more games next season,” he told Continental 590.
“I want to establish myself at Arsenal and become first choice. If I don’t play, I’m going to move, I’m going to go where I play more.”
