Gunnersaurus is back! Arsenal’s dinosaur mascot returns to the Emirates

Arsenal‘s beloved mascot Gunnersaurus has posed for a picture at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since he was sacked and Mesut Ozil offered to pay his wages last month.

Jerry Quy, who filled the role for 27 years alongside a series of other jobs around the club, lost his job as part of Arsenal’s recent Covid-19-related cost-cutting drive. 

His position, which he has carried out since Gunnersaurus was introduced in 1993, was deemed no longer essential with games currently being played behind closed doors and no supporters to entertain. 

Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus has posed for a picture at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since he was sacked

Mesut Ozil offered to pay the salary of the man inside the Gunnersaurus costume after Arsenal axed the furry mascot as part of cost-cutting measures

But Quy and Gunnersaurus were so popular around the club that his sacking received widespread condemnation from Arsenal fans and celebrities on social media.

Ozil, whose contract runs out next summer, came to the rescue and offered to pay Quy’s wages while the Germany international remains at the club.

When announcing he would step in, the German said: ‘I was so sad that Jerry Quy aka our famous and loyal mascot and integral part of our club was made redundant after 27 years.

‘As such, I’m offering to reimburse Arsenal with the full salary of our big green guy as long as I will be an Arsenal player so Jerry can continue his job that he loves so much.’

Just like the announcement of 55 redundancies earlier in the summer, which came just before Willian joined on a deal worth up to £220,000-per-week, three-year deal, the decision to part ways with Quy was ill-timed.

Details of his exit emerged on transfer deadline day which ended with Arsenal activating Thomas Partey’s £45million buyout clause and signing the midfielder on a £230,000-per-week four-year deal.

More to follow.

Ozil pictured shaking hands with Gunnersaurus ahead of a match at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal’s loveable mascot Gunnersaurus was let go, despite his 27 years of service at the club