Arsenal to Cut 60 Jobs After Arteta’s £20m Deal

Arsenal to Cut 60 Jobs After Arteta’s £20m Deal

Arsenal are planning to cut approximately 60 jobs, just months after ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title and only a week after manager Mikel Arteta signed a lucrative new contract.

The proposed redundancies were communicated to staff by chief executive Richard Garlick on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The cuts are expected to focus primarily on non-footballing departments as the club reviews its workforce and operating costs.

The timing has attracted attention because Arsenal recently celebrated a historic season on the pitch while committing to Arteta’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal Job Cuts to Focus on Off-Field Roles

According to reports, the planned reductions follow a review involving external management consultants Boston Consulting Group. The review began before Arsenal secured the Premier League title and is intended to improve the club’s operational efficiency.

The proposed cuts will not directly affect coaching and performance staff working with the men’s and women’s teams or the academy. The Arsenal Foundation, Arsenal in the Community and security operations are also expected to be protected.

However, the plans could still affect employees working across other departments, with a consultation process expected before the final decisions are made.

The announcement is likely to be difficult for staff to receive, particularly after a season in which the club achieved major success on the pitch.

Arteta’s New Contract Raises Questions

The news comes just seven days after Arsenal confirmed that Arteta had signed a new four-year contract, extending his stay until June 2030.

The Spaniard is reportedly set to earn around £20 million annually, although reports have placed the value of his new deal at different figures. His contract rewards a successful period in which he guided Arsenal to their first Premier League championship in more than two decades.

Arteta’s new agreement underlines the club’s commitment to maintaining its position among England’s leading teams. Nevertheless, the contrast between the manager’s reported salary and the proposed staff reductions has become a major talking point.

Record Revenue but Financial Pressure Remains

Arsenal reported record revenue of £691 million for the 2024–25 financial year. Despite that figure, the club recorded a net loss of approximately £1.4 million, while operating costs increased substantially compared with the previous season.

The financial picture highlights an important distinction: record revenue does not automatically mean a club is making a profit. Player wages, transfer-related costs, bonuses and other operating expenses can all affect the final result.

Arsenal are also seeking to operate sustainably while remaining competitive at the highest level of football.

For now, the proposed 60 job cuts remain subject to consultation. The coming weeks should provide greater clarity about which positions could be affected and how the club intends to restructure its workforce.

Although Arsenal’s title triumph has strengthened the club’s sporting standing, the latest announcement shows that difficult decisions off the pitch are continuing even during a period of success.