Arsenal are facing internal discontent after the club announced Mikel Arteta's contract extension and up to 60 job cuts within days of each other, while striker Viktor Gyokeres has been told he will "100% be sold" before next season.
Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness claims the timing of the two announcements has created a "bad look" and caused "internal moaning" among staff. Arteta's new deal, which runs until June 2030, was made public on October 7 and includes an increase on his £10 million salary alongside bonuses of £5 million a year. A week later, Arsenal announced up to 60 job cuts following a review carried out by an external company.
Timing of announcements criticised
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, Wyness said the close timing of the two pieces of news was "disastrous" and could have been avoided. He said: "It is a bad look, and I think it could have been avoided. I think it was all about timing. Look, they've obviously been in discussions with Mikel and his team for quite a while. They've obviously also been handling these redundancies and looking at the cost reductions for a while."
Wyness added: "So they've had time to think about this and to bring them out so close together. While they're not related, it's just a very bad look. There'll be a lot of moaning internally about the way it's done. And clubs exist very, very much on the staff. People don't understand just how valuable these people are within the clubs."
He also compared the situation to Manchester United's handling of similar issues, saying: "We had this whole discussion about Man United and what a disastrous way they've handled it, and I must admit I would have expected a little bit better from Arsenal. Had it been two or three months apart, the whole thing wouldn't have looked connected."
Gyokeres told he will leave
Meanwhile, Gabriel Agbonlahor has insisted that Viktor Gyokeres will "100% be sold" before next season after failing to make an impact this year. The Sweden international started the win over Everton and provided the slightest of assists for Ezri Konsa's opener.
However, Agbonlahor criticised the 28-year-old on talkSPORT, claiming he was "running in slow motion." He said: "Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ. Looks like he's like running in slow motion, isn't he? Looks like he can't run."
Agbonlahor added: "Can he hold the ball up? Yes, he can, but he will be one that won't be at the club next season. Yeah, 100%. They would have got rid of him this season if they could have for [Julian] Alvarez. If Alvarez wanted to come and hadn't turned Arsenal down, they would have said, 'I would give you Gyokeres and money.'"
In the Premier League, Gyokeres has made the starting XI just once this season and has managed 148 minutes so far. He is yet to find the net across 10 appearances in all competitions.
