Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defends 60 staff job cuts

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended the club's decision to cut 60 positions, affecting approximately 7 percent of its 871 permanent staff. The layoffs, scheduled to take effect on November 1, target non-sporting sectors and follow a business review conducted by an American firm. The cuts will not affect coaching staff, the academy, the Arsenal Foundation, or community and security departments.

The announcement has drawn criticism from the public, particularly as it coincides with Arteta signing a new contract reportedly worth £10 million annually plus bonuses. While the club reported record revenues of £691 million for the 2024/25 financial year, it also recorded a total loss of £1.4 million, with operating costs rising to £200.8 million.

Addressing the situation, Arteta stated, “We have to make decisions to place people in the right positions and continue to invest in order to achieve our objectives and build the success we want.” He also noted that the decision was based on club-wide analysis.