Ian Wright hits out at Arsenal decision to announce significant job losses The majority of Arsenal’s first team squad agreed to take a pay cut earlier this year (Picture: Getty)It is also believed Arsenal’s current plans in the transfer market will not be affected by the job cuts, as Chelsea winger Willian continues to be heavily linked with a free transfer to the Emirates Stadium.AdvertisementAdvertisement‘Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have been working hard to ensure that Arsenal Football Club emerges in a robust and strong position for the future,” the statement read.‘In line with other football clubs and many other businesses operating in the sport, leisure and entertainment arena, we have been impacted directly by COVID-19.‘Our main sources of income have all reduced significantly. Revenue from broadcasters, matchday and commercial activities have all been hit severely and these impacts will continue into at least the forthcoming 2020/21 season.More: Arsenal FCArsenal flop Denis Suarez delivers verdict on Thomas Partey and Lucas Torreira movesThomas Partey debut? Ian Wright picks his Arsenal starting XI vs Manchester CityArsene Wenger explains why Mikel Arteta is ‘lucky’ to be managing Arsenal‘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.’MORE: Arsenal and Man Utd centre-back target Gabriel makes transfer decisionMORE: Perry Groves urges Arsenal to complete ‘no-brainer’ signing of Willian, who is ‘better’ than Nicolas PepeFollow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.For more stories like this, check our sport page. Advertisement Advertisement Comment Metro Sport ReporterThursday 6 Aug 2020 11:42 amShare this article via facebookShare this article via twitterShare this article via messengerShare this with Share this article via emailShare this article via flipboardCopy link392Shares Arsenal confirmed they are set to make a raft of redundancies (Picture: Getty)Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has questioned the club’s decision to make 55 members of staff redundant.The FA Cup winners made the announcement on Wednesday and pointed to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on finances as the reason for the move.In a statement issued by the club’s head of football Raul Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham, they pointed to severe drops in broadcast revenue.The cuts will come across some football departments as well as commercial and administrative roles.ADVERTISEMENTWhile the players, who took a pay cut earlier this year, are said to be dismayed, Wright tweeted his apparent dismay at the news, reciting the iconic quote of his former team-mate and close friend David Rocastle, tweeting: ‘Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent!!!’
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Kavem Hodge and veteran opener Devon Smith fashioned half-centuries as Windward Islands Volcanoes produced a solid batting display, to keep Jamaica Scorpions in the field for the entire first day of their second round fixture at Sabina Park.Asked to bat here yesterday, Volcanoes finished the day on 314 for five thanks mainly to Hodge who struck 88 and Smith who carved out 72.For the exception of captain Sunil Ambris (7), every Volcanoes batsman managed a start. Twenty-year-old Emmanuel Stewart was unbeaten at the close on 46 and was partnered by Keron Cottoy on 29.Former captain and Test batsman Kirk Edwards had earlier also struck 29 while Desron Maloney chipped in with 26.Seamer Derval Green was once again the hosts’ best bowler with three for 58 as the attack struggled to break down Volcanoes.It was Smith and Maloney who set the tone by posting 43 for the first wicket to deny Jamaica any early success. And even after Maloney fell after hitting five boundaries in a breezy 31-ball knock, Smith and Hodge then put their side in a commanding position courtesy of a 130-run stand.All told, the 38-year-old Smith faced 152 deliveries in nearly three hours at the crease and counted nine fours, completing his 60th first class half-century in his 211th game.The 26-year-old Hodge’s knock, meanwhile, spanned 171 balls in just over 4-½ hours and included 12 fours.When Smith was bowled by pacer Marquino Mindley, Hodge put on a further 44 for the third wicket with Edwards, who punched two fours and a six in an attractive 48-ball knock before falling in the fourth over after tea, flirting with a side ball from Green and going caught behind.Scorpions then enjoyed their best period of the day when Ambris followed 10 balls later, also caught at the wicket off Green as Volcanoes stumbled to 242 for five.However, Stewart quickly dashed the hosts’ hopes of a further breakthrough, pairing with Cottoy to add 72 in an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership.Stewart, who scored a half-century in the last round against Barbados Pride, has so far faced 94 balls in a shade over 1-¾ hours and counted six fours and a six.