Arsenal are extending their commitment to pay casual workers and salaried employees in football’s absence, not intending to use the Government’s furlough scheme.

Get well Mikel (and everyone else)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal gesticulates on January 18, 2020. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

On Wednesday morning, Arsenal posted an update on the current situation with regards to the coronavirus shutdown and the controversial topic of the furlough scheme in football. They confirm they are “not currently intending” to use the Government’s scheme, paying employee salaries in full.

They also extend their commitment to paying casual workers from the end of April until the end of May. In order to help the club continuing to pay these wages, the club stopped most capital spend and the executive team volunteered to waive more than a third of their earnings over the next 12 months.

Arsenal say they’re not considering redundancies, and they’re fully focusing on protecting jobs and salaries.

As for season tickets, Arsenal are sticking to the line that tickets will be valid for rearranged matches. However, they now add that if matches take place without fans, season-ticket holders will be offered a credit for next season or a refund.

This all sounds reasonable. It’s good to see the likes of Liverpool and Spurs backtracking on their use of the furlough scheme too. I’m not going to give them credit for taking the best PR decision in the end, but I’m glad we all helped to put that pressure on them.