Mikel Arteta defends job cuts at Arsenal to help club ‘evolve and create success’
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
The latest update is that Arsenal have begun telling some staff their jobs are at risk, though the club has not yet informed everyone affected. Up to 60 roles could go as part of a cost-cutting review, which Mikel Arteta says is intended to help the club evolve and sustain success.
Arsenal hope to limit redundancies and redeploy staff where possible, but some job losses may be unavoidable. Catering and travel are among the departments affected; first-team coaching and performance staff, the academy, Arsenal Women and several community and security teams are exempt. The review began before Arteta signed a new deal worth more than £20m a season, while the club’s operating costs rose from £148m to £201m in 2024-25.
- Arsenal have started informing some staff that their roles are at risk.
- Up to 60 jobs could go after a club-wide cost review.
- Arteta says the changes aim to support future success.
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Arsenal is a football club based in north London, competing in the Premier League and other domestic and European competitions. Running a large club involves staff in many areas beyond the first team, including travel, catering, security and community work.
The club is reviewing its costs as it seeks to fund its operations and remain competitive. Mikel Arteta is Arsenal’s manager, responsible for the men’s first team; decisions about staffing and the club’s wider finances involve its senior leadership.
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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