Arsenal made a statement saying the club wants the Premiership and the FA Cup to continue this season.
It says: “We are in full support of the objective for all remaining domestic league and cup matches from the 2019/20 season to be played, in order to maintain the integrity of each competition.
“We also fully agree with the principle any return to action will only be with the full backing of Government and when medical guidance allows. The restart date is under constant review as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic develops and we continue to work together with all stakeholders through this very challenging time.”
Arsenal have already announced the club will continue to pay staff in full to April 30 and monitor the situation thereafter.
The club also said that its foundation will donate £100,000 to local charities, a further £50,000 to a local community initiative, use of club cars for NHA staff as well as a number of education support measures for children. One paper notes Stan Kroenke is worth £8bn according the Forbes Rich List.
The Sun, picking up on the excitement generated by the Grand National, ran simulations on what would happen in other sporting events.
The algorithms may well have weighted history repeating itself, as Arsenal were winners of the virtual FA Cup – beating Leicester City on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Jamie Vardy missed the only penalty of the shoot-out. The fourth time in seven years Arsenal have ‘won’ the trophy.
Controversial perspective from Neil Moxley in the People, who recommends scrapping the season now.
Obviously, that won’t happen – as UEFA wants all the leagues to act in unison.
He suggests: “Liverpool can be given the Premier League title. Those in the top four – or five if the case against Manchester City is upheld – can take the Champions League spots. Relegation is suspended.
“Anyone in the automatic promotion places gets moved up one league and the fixtures will have to be adjusted until the equilibrium is restored.
“The broadcasters can hand over the money due for the remainder of the season – so that football clubs survive until the summer – and knock the amount off their next bill.
“Domestically, if the broadcasters won’t help, the Premier League will have to undergo some financial hardship like the rest of the country and take out a loan.
“They can subsidise the shortfall. I bet that puts a brake on transfers and salary inflation next season.”
The financial uncertainty does put transfer speculation more into the realms of fiction. Suppose it a staple diet of journalists trying the fill white space and or whatever screen colours they have.
Nevertheless, the rumour surrounding Ryan Fraser to Arsenal has a ring of truth, as he will be out of contract at the end of the season, and heavily linked previously. So too Chris Smalling – although competition will bump up his price. Jesse Lingard, has less credence, although Raul Sanhelli and Lingard’s new agent do have a relationship.
Real Madrid youngster Cesar Gelabert – who is out of contract in June has been linked, again, with some credence given the club is negotiating over Danny Ceballos. Rumours suggest the midfielder may want to go to Real Betis, with Los Blancos, rumoured to not want to continue his contract.
Some papers point to the worries over Aubameyang’s contract, with any extension to the season. At the end of the year, he will be free to negotiate with other clubs.
Congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer for winning the Labour leadership contest. From one Gooner to another.
He will no doubt support the workers from Delaware North, who do many jobs around the club and who are in limbo, not knowing whether they can get onto the government’s furlough scheme. They are not employed by the club directly.