Arteta responds to Arsenal's proposed 60 job cuts

Mikel Arteta has addressed Arsenal's plan to reduce their workforce by 60 jobs, saying the club explained the changes to him as part of its efforts to improve and pursue success. BBC Sport reported his response on Friday, after chief executive Richard Garlick informed employees of the proposals earlier in the week.

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Speaking at a news conference ahead of Sunday's visit to Nottingham Forest, Arteta initially indicated that questions about the decision should be directed elsewhere. He then said the club had outlined its review and the intention to develop the organisation, place employees in appropriate roles and continue investing.

The manager repeatedly stressed that he was not the person best placed to answer questions about the redundancies. His comments came a week after Arsenal announced his new four-year contract, following the team's first Premier League title since 2004.

BBC Sport's earlier reporting on the restructuring said the proposed reductions would span several departments but exclude coaching and performance employees in both the men's and women's teams. The Arsenal Foundation, Arsenal in the Community and security staff would also be unaffected. The changes therefore concern off-field positions outside those protected areas of the club.

An external company had already been reviewing the workforce before Arsenal secured the league title. Garlick communicated the planned reductions during a staff call. The BBC reported that consultation was underway and the proposals had not been finalised, leaving the process incomplete rather than confirming that all 60 departures had already taken place.

The financial background includes record revenue of £691m for the 2024-25 financial year, announced in February, alongside an overall loss of £1.4m. Operating costs increased to £200.8m from £147.9m in the preceding year. According to the BBC's report on the proposals, Arsenal want to sustain their operations financially while complying with the rules applying to Premier League clubs. Those figures accompany a restructuring process that remains subject to consultation, despite the team's recent success on the pitch.