Mikel Arteta has thrown his support behind Arsenal’s internal reorganisation following the announcement that the club intends to trim its workforce by roughly seven percent. Earlier this week, chief executive Richard Garlick notified staff that several departments would face downsizing. The proposed reductions could see around 61 of the club’s 871 permanent roles eliminated, with redundancies strictly confined to administrative and non-sporting personnel.
Sporting operations will remain untouched: technical, coaching, and athletic performance staff for both the men’s and women’s setups are entirely exempt from the cuts. Furthermore, employees in security, along with charitable branches like the Arsenal Foundation and Arsenal in the Community, will not be impacted by the changes.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash against Nottingham Forest, Arteta confirmed he had been briefed regarding the strategic review. While clarifying that administrative restructuring falls outside his remit, the manager shared his understanding of the strategy, explaining that the transition is intended to modernize the club and direct investment toward areas that drive sustained advancement.
Arteta emphasized that the moves are meant to position the right talent in optimal roles so the club can continue backing its long-term sporting objectives. However, he requested that specific questions regarding the redundancies be directed toward the club’s executive leadership.
The reorganization follows Arteta committing his future to the club through a fresh four-year contract, rewarded after guiding Arsenal to their first Premier League championship since 2004. Under the updated terms, his previous £10 million yearly salary was upgraded, complemented by up to £5 million in performance-based bonuses. The internal audit had reportedly commenced before the league title was sealed, demonstrating that the structural changes were already in motion rather than an impulsive response to recent sporting triumphs.
Arsenal’s recent financial disclosures provide additional context for the cost-management exercise. Despite generating an unprecedented turnover of £691 million during the 2024–25 financial year, the club posted an overall deficit of £1.4 million. Running expenses escalated sharply during that period, rising from £147.9 million to £200.8 million. The planned staffing cuts underline the club’s determination to rein in operating costs and optimize resources for future competitive success.
