Football news - Mesut Ozil is one of three Arsenal players to refuse pay cut

The Gunners announced on Monday that they are the first Premier League team to reduce pay for players due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ozil is Arsenal’s top earner on a reported salary of £350,000-a-week, but according to the Daily Mail he is unconvinced of the need for pay cuts rather than deferrals.

It is stated he may be willing to take a pay reduction in the future but wants to see the full financial impact of the coronavirus before making a decision.

He is also reportedly open to accepting a deferral worth more than the 12.5 percent pay cut his team-mates have taken.

The Professional Footballers Association have advised players against taking cuts while Ozil’s agent Dr Erkut Sogut also recently said that players should not accept reductions.

“Deferral is an option but not to agree a cut today when the clubs may still make the same profit as last year," he said.

“What the exact financial impact is on the clubs, we can see three to six months later - but we can’t see it today.”