Extensible absorbent layer and absorbent article

An apertured absorbent nonwoven web comprising a first plurality of slits having a first orientation and a second plurality of slits having a second orientation, the first orientation is different from the second orientation, the first plurality of slits and the second plurality of slits are at least partially through the absorbent nonwoven web, and the second plurality of slits at least partially intersects the first plurality of slits;

• wherein where the plurality of slits in the different orientations intersect, at least one aperture is formed in the absorbent nonwoven web.

An apparatus for aperturing a web comprising an anvil roll, a first cutting roll and a second cutting roll, wherein the first cutting and second cutting rolls are in communication with the anvil roll, each cutting roll comprises a series of protrusions that are capable of forming slits in a web passed between the anvil and each cutting roll;

• at least some of the protrusions of the first cutting roll and some of the protrusions of the second cutting roll are aligned on the anvil such that at least a portion of slits cut in the first cutting roll overlap at least a portion of the slits cut by the second cutting roll and where the slits overlap one another.