Arsenal stars edge closer to wage cut deal after Arteta talks

Discussions have been ongoing between the players and executives at Emirates Stadium aimed at reducing salaries amid the Covid-19 pandemic Hopes are building at Arsenal that an agreement between the club and players over potential wage cuts is close. Talks, which have been ongoing between both parties for the past fortnight, have so far proved unsuccessful in terms of reaching an agreement, but sources have confirmed to Goal that there is a now genuine belief that the discussions are heading in the right direction. On Monday, the players voted against a proposal which would have seen them take a 12-month pay cut of 12.5 per cent. The news was a blow to the club, who as part of the proposal had offered to repay the lost money, should the team go on and qualify for the Champions League. However while there was some support from members of the squad, it did not receive the backing of enough of the players to get the 75% agreement that was needed. Had that offer been accepted, it would have seen Arsenal cut around £25 million ($31m) from their annual £230m ($286m) wage bill. It was, however, met with scepticism from some senior players with the Gunners currently sitting ninth in the Premier League. Talks have continued since, however, and now there is a feeling that an agreement - centred around the same 12.5 per cent terms - is edging closer.