Arsenal are facing criticism over the timing of significant off-field changes, with former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness warning of 'internal moaning' after the club announced up to 60 job cuts. The redundancies, following a review by an external company, were confirmed just a week after manager Mikel Arteta signed a new contract extension running until June 2030.
Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy, said the close proximity of the two announcements was damaging. "It is a bad look, and I think it could have been avoided," Wyness said. "I think it was all about timing." He described the sequence as 'disastrous' for internal morale at a club currently second in the Premier League with 21 points from eight games.
Arteta's new deal is understood to include an increase on his previous £10 million annual salary, with potential bonuses adding a further £5 million per year. The club's decision to proceed with widespread staff cuts so soon after committing to such a substantial managerial package has raised eyebrows. This backdrop comes as the team prepares for a key period, with a Carabao Cup trip to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night followed by a Premier League visit to Anfield to face fourth-placed Liverpool on Sunday.
On the pitch, Arsenal's form is strong. They are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, a run that includes a 2-0 win over Everton last Friday. Goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel secured the victory, which kept them level on points with Manchester City at the summit. The team has scored 13 league goals while conceding only five, giving them the second-best defensive record in the division. Bukayo Saka leads the scoring charts with three goals this season.
Despite the positive results, one player's future has been called into question. Former striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been heavily critical of forward Viktor Gyokeres, who has made just one Premier League start this term. The 28-year-old has yet to score in ten appearances across all competitions. "Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ," Agbonlahor said. "Looks like he's like running in slow motion, isn't he? Looks like he can't run." Agbonlahor went further, stating he believes Gyokeres will "100% be sold" before the start of next season.
Gyokeres did provide assists in the recent wins over Everton and Bayern Munich, but his overall contribution remains under scrutiny. The club's hierarchy will hope the off-field turbulence does not disrupt a squad that faces a defining week, with progress in the Carabao Cup and a vital league clash at Anfield on the immediate horizon.
More detail at mirror.co.uk
