ARSENAL hope to force their players into a climbdown over the coronavirus pay row.
Gunners stars, led by their PFA rep Hector Bellerin, last night offered to DEFER 30 per cent of their wages for a year.
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But the North London club wanted their players to accept 12.5 per cent pay CUTS for 12 months.
And they piled pressure on them by announcing 14 executives have agreed more than 33 per cent pay cuts for a year.
A club statement said: “Over the past ten days we have been in discussions with them around the potential financial challenges ahead, and how we are planning for those now.
“These are productive and ongoing conversations around how our players might support their club in an appropriate way.”
Manager Mikel Arteta is now set to talk to his squad to try and resolve “one of the most challenging periods” in Arsenal’s 133-year history.
The Gunners are paying all of their non-playing staff in full — and this includes their matchday staff. The club have continued their talks with players after the rejection of the proposals while a revised deal has been waved away.
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Initially, the 12.5 per cent cut could have been refunded had the team somehow qualified for the Champions League this season.
The team are five points and four places off Manchester United in fifth, which is the last Champions League spot as Manchester City are due to be suspended from the competition next season.
Some Arsenal players agreed to the proposals but the majority stressed they will only consider a deferral.
However, the club are hoping that club executives taking a pay cut will force the players into an agreement.
In the statement, Arsenal also explained they are being hit hard by the coronavirus.
It read: “The suspension of football and the broader global economic impact of the virus mean that many of our revenue streams are on hold or are at risk.
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“We have always aimed to operate on the basis the money we earn is reinvested. The potential impact on our revenue streams puts our operating model under pressure.
“We know that this crisis will pass, and normality will resume, but time frames cannot be known with any certainty.
“The potential financial impact is significant so we must be responsible and act now to best protect Arsenal from what might happen in the months ahead.
“What is clear is that this is one of the most challenging periods in our near 134-year history.”
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Arsenal players reject 12.5% pay cut over 12 months as club struggles over coronavirus crisis
Arsenal bid to FORCE players into taking coronavirus pay cut as stars insist they will only defer wages - The Sun
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