Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defends club plans to cut 60 jobs

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended the club decision to cut up to 60 jobs, reporting that he was told the measures are necessary to achieve future success. The BBC and the Guardian both reported that staff were informed of the upcoming workforce reduction this week following a cost-cutting review. [1][2][4]

The reductions are expected to affect up to seven per cent of the permanent staff at Arsenal, according to the BBC. The cuts will come from off-the-field roles, while performance staff, coaching staff, security staff, the Arsenal Foundation, and Arsenal in the Community will remain unaffected. [1]

Chief executive Richard Garlick informed staff of the plans after a consultation process started by Boston Consulting Group before the end of last season, the BBC and the Guardian reported. The news comes shortly after Arteta signed a new contract with the club worth more than 20 million pounds a season, the Guardian said. [1][2]

Arteta joined Arsenal as a player in 2011 and captained the team before retiring in 2016. He returned to take charge as manager in 2019, leading the team to an FA Cup victory in 2020. [10]