Arsenal supporters might have expected the departure of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi on transfer deadline day - but not their beloved club mascot.
According to British media reports, 'Gunnersaurus' has been axed as part of cost-cutting measures at the club.
Jerry Quy, who has donned the dinosaur mascot at home matches since 1993, worked for the club and was let go, as the role was deemed no longer necessary, with no fans expected at the Emirates Stadium anytime soon, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gunnersaurus' departure has not gone down well with Arsenal supporters on social media, with the mascot trending sixth on Twitter in the UK.
An online fundraiser on GoFundMe was started in solidarity with Quy and nearly 1000 pounds ($1955) has already been raised.
"Gunnersaurus has been the Arsenal club mascot for 27 years." reads a statement on the page. "He's a club icon and we cannot let him become extinct."
In August, Arsenal decided to lay off 55 staff members as a result of the financial impact of the pandemic, but part-timer Quy was not among them.
Arsenal did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Reuters
