Arteta responds to Arsenal plans to cut 60 jobs as consultation continues

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal explained their proposed reduction of 60 jobs to him as part of an effort to improve the club and support its ambitions for success. BBC Sport reported the manager's response on Friday, after chief executive Richard Garlick informed employees this week that positions would be cut across several departments. The proposals remain subject to consultation rather than being finalised.

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Asked about the changes at a news conference before Arsenal's visit to Nottingham Forest, Arteta initially indicated that the question should be addressed to someone else. He then said the club had explained its review and analysis to him, describing the stated aims as improvement, placing employees in appropriate roles and continuing investment. He also stressed that he was not the person responsible for answering questions about the decision.

According to BBC Sport, the planned redundancies would affect off-field posts and amount to as much as seven per cent of Arsenal's 871 permanent employees. Coaching and performance personnel working with both the men's and women's teams are excluded. Roles at the Arsenal Foundation and Arsenal in the Community, along with security positions, are also outside the proposed reductions.

An external company conducted the workforce review, which was already under way before Arsenal won the Premier League. The announcement follows that title success, the club's first in the competition since 2004, and comes shortly after Arteta signed a new four-year contract. BBC Sport reported that the manager's renewed agreement was announced a week before the redundancy plans became public.

The staffing proposals also follow a financial year in which Arsenal posted record revenue but still recorded a loss. Figures announced in February put revenue for 2024-25 at £691 million and the overall loss at £1.4 million. Operating costs increased to £200.8 million from £147.9 million in the preceding financial year, according to the BBC's reporting of the accounts.

BBC Sport's earlier report on the proposed cuts said Arsenal were seeking financial self-sufficiency while complying with Premier League financial rules. It also confirmed that consultation was under way, leaving the proposed reductions unfinalised. Arteta's subsequent comments set out the explanation given to him by the club, rather than announcing a completed restructuring or any additional changes to the workforce.