Arsene Wenger has classified Arsenal’s dismissal of club mascot Gunnersaurus as “unjustifiable” and “incomprehensible”.
Jerry Quy played the popular dinosaur suit for 27 years before being one of 55 employees laid off last month as part of a club’s cost-cutting exercise.
On the same day, Arsenal spent £ 45m to sign Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal have been widely criticized for how they handled the situation and former Gunners boss Wenger has now passed his verdict.
When So Foot asked how he took the news, Wenger replied, “Bad. The decision was financially unjustifiable. I don’t know what got into her.
(Image: PA)
“Nobody can understand. Anyone who loves Arsenal didn’t make the decision well. I’m a part of them.
“You laid off 55 people, which could possibly be explained by some restructuring, a desire for efficiency. The mascot cannot be justified by a desire to rebalance finances. It is incomprehensible.”
Quy was practically unemployed after the coronavirus crisis when matches were rolled behind closed doors.
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New signings Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey made a lot of money after arriving this summer, and the new-look Gunners are all aiming for a top 4 spot and Europa League glory this season.
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Arsenal outcast star Mesut Ozil quickly found favor with fans by offering to pay Quy’s salary as long as he remains a player at the club – though that will now likely only be until June while former Gunners legend Ray Parlor the offer as a “PR stunt”.
Quy wasn’t the only person to lose his job in the round of layoffs.
Respected boy scout Francis Cagigao was fired from the club after more than two decades of service after being hired by Wenger at the beginning of the Frenchman’s tenure.
Wenger was recently asked if the departure was a shock and told the Guardian: “Yes, because Cagigao did an excellent job.
“I was amazed, but what is the real reason?
“Sure, it wasn’t financial because we spent a lot of money afterwards.
“I don’t know if you’re going to put these 55 people’s wages together so you can buy a player with it.”
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