Global Sport Salaries Survey by Sportingintelligence has announced the list of the clubs with the highest annual average salaries.
Arsenal sitting fifth in the list behind both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Unai Emery’s side pay more than Tottenham do, but it shows what the Gunners are up against when compared to the financial backing at the top of the Premier League.
"The sextet of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are paying a premium of only 20% in wages versus teams of a similar quality to themselves in other leagues," according to commentary included in the Sporting Intelligence report.
"This drops as low as 7% excluding Manchester United, who everyone would agree are currently underachieving against resources."
Raul Sanllehi has his say about the wages.
"Your level is not only a case of how much you can pay your players," said Sanllehi in October. "We need to regain that positioning, that privilege, to be seen as a Champions League club. From there the wheel starts rolling again. That is what is going to give us the speed, also to be attractive to better players, to generate more money. It is the virtuous circle."
