Arteta explains briefing on Arsenal plan to cut 60 jobs

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal's planned reduction of 60 jobs was explained to him as part of the club's effort to improve its organisation and sustain sporting success. The manager addressed the issue on Friday after chief executive Richard Garlick informed employees this week that several departments would lose staff, according to BBC Sport and PA reporting.

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The proposed cuts could affect up to seven per cent of Arsenal's 871 permanent employees. BBC Sport reported that the reductions would involve off-field roles, with coaching and performance staff in both the men's and women's operations unaffected. Positions within the Arsenal Foundation, Arsenal in the Community and the security team are also excluded.

Speaking at his news conference before Sunday's league game against Nottingham Forest, Arteta described the explanation he had received about the review. PA reported that he linked the exercise to putting people in appropriate roles and maintaining investment. He presented those points as the rationale communicated to him, rather than setting out which jobs would go or how the changes would be implemented.

Arteta initially indicated that the question should be directed elsewhere. After giving his brief account, he again said he was not the appropriate person to answer questions on the matter and asked for that position to be respected. PA reported that the Arsenal manager did not take further questions about the planned redundancies.

The staffing changes come against a mixed financial picture. BBC Sport reported that Arsenal announced record revenue of £691m for the 2024-25 financial year, alongside an overall loss of £1.4m. Operating costs increased from £147.9m in the preceding year to £200.8m, even as the club generated its highest annual revenue.

An external company's review of the workforce was already under way before Arsenal won the Premier League, according to the BBC. The redundancy decision follows last week's announcement of a new four-year contract for Arteta. That agreement came after he guided Arsenal to their first league title since 2004, placing the off-field restructuring alongside the club's recent success on the pitch.