Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal playing squad impressed non-playing staff by specifically insisting funds from their pay cut went towards lower-paid employee wages.

The Gooner Fanzine report that Arsenal’s non-playing staff were happy to learn of the 12.5% pay cut taken by Mikel Arteta and his players.

Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham held a phone call with staff on Monday, informing them that Arteta and the players were specifically insisting that funds from their cut went towards the lower-paid employees at the club.

The players wanted to make sure the staff received their usual wages and avoided the furlough scheme.

A lot of the media reporting on the cut is focusing on the minority of players who didn’t take one. Not only does that involve a lot of blind speculation about the reasons why that might be, but it also distracts from the gesture many of the players are making.

The key takeaway is that many vulnerable people in lower-paying jobs now have some security. Scapegoating and engaging in debates we have no inside knowledge about doesn’t help whatsoever.