There is now a breakthrough for Arsenal on the contentious issue of player wage cuts this weekend in what amounts to a dramatic shift from just a few days ago.
Despite the eye-watering financial implications of the coronavirus shutdown on football being well-documented, players at the majority of clubs are at an impasse with their clubs over cuts.
And that was precisely where Arsenal were last weekend when this proposal was initially rejected with the players only willing to settle for wage deferrals instead.
But opinions have shifted during a week that saw manager Mikel Arteta stress the importance of players doing their part to help the club and executives make their own sacrifices.
Players will get their 12.5 per cent loss back if they qualify for next season's Champions League plus a £100,000 bonus.
The club is also offering them £500,000 each if they win the Champions League next season.
Should the league resume, Champions League football next season remains a possibility but may be considered unlikely.
Perhaps more realistic is a fourth straight season in the Europa League, which would mean the agreed 12.5 per cent cut would drop to 7.5 per cent. A £100,000 bonus is on offer if they win Europe's secondary competition next season.
The 12.5 per cent reduction would apply for an entire year, starting this month and running until March 2021, so the Champions League incentive proved significant in winning players over.
Mesut Ozil tops Arsenal's pay structure on wages of £350,000-a-week, with star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang making £200,000-a-week.
Alexandre Lacazette, David Luiz, Nicolas Pepe and Hector Bellerin also make six-figure sums each week.
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The players were initially split over the pay cut proposal.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
