Mikel Arteta defends job cuts at Arsenal to help club ‘evolve and create success’
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Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal’s plan to cut up to 60 jobs, saying a club-wide review found changes were needed to improve and sustain success. The proposed redundancies have drawn scrutiny because Arsenal recently announced a new contract for Arteta worth more than £20m a season.
The review began before the contract announcement, and Arsenal say they hope to reduce job losses and redeploy affected staff where possible. Catering and travel roles are among those at risk, while first-team coaching and performance staff, the academy, Arsenal Women and several community and security teams are exempt; the club’s operating costs rose from £148m to £201m in 2024-25.
- Arsenal may cut up to 60 jobs after a cost review.
- Arteta says changes are intended to help the club improve.
- The cuts come amid rising operating costs and a new manager contract.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Arsenal can argue that a club-wide review is a responsible way to address rising operating costs and keep the organisation effective over the long term. If some roles no longer fit its needs, restructuring and redeployment where possible may help sustain success while protecting core football, academy, women’s and community work.
The case against
Staff and supporters can argue that cutting up to 60 jobs, including catering and travel roles, sits uneasily with the club’s ability to pay its manager more than £20m a season. Even if the review began earlier and some teams are exempt, the contrast raises questions about who bears the cost of the club’s plans and whether reducing staff is the fairest route to efficiency.
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