Arteta addresses Arsenal restructuring as 60 jobs face redundancy

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal explained their proposed job cuts to him as part of efforts to improve the club and support future success. Speaking at a news conference on Friday, the manager also said he was not the appropriate person to answer questions about the redundancies, BBC Sport reported.

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Arteta said he had been briefed on an assessment across the organisation. His account of that explanation focused on assigning people to suitable roles while continuing to invest in the club's ambitions. He initially declined to address the subject before giving a brief response, according to the BBC's report.

Sky Sports reported that Arsenal had told employees 60 positions were at risk under a restructuring proposal. The process followed an outside consultancy's examination of the club's organisation and resources, and had begun before Arsenal won the Premier League in May. The review therefore preceded both the title success and the announcement of Arteta's latest contract.

The proposed changes do not extend to the coaching and performance operations supporting either the men's or women's senior team, Sky Sports reported. The academy, Arsenal in the Community, the Arsenal Foundation and security are also outside the planned reductions. The protections cover several distinct parts of the club, while the employment changes concern roles elsewhere in the organisation.

BBC Sport placed the announcement against Arsenal's latest financial results. The club reported revenue of £691 million for 2024-25, a record, but still recorded a £1.4 million overall loss. Operating expenses increased to £200.8 million from £147.9 million in the previous financial year, the broadcaster reported.

The employment proposals remain subject to consultation, according to Sky Sports, which reported that Arsenal would consider moving affected staff into other roles within the club as part of that process. The figure of 60 therefore describes positions at risk rather than a completed tally of departures. The proposals were communicated only a week after Arteta agreed a new four-year contract to remain manager.