Mikel Arteta has defended the stated aim of improving Arsenal's operations amid a restructuring that puts up to 60 roles at risk. The Guardian's October 16 report identifies positions potentially affected rather than confirming 60 completed dismissals.
Consultation and possible redeployment
The newspaper says the review involved Boston Consulting Group before the end of last season. Employees whose roles are at risk have been informed, while Arsenal hopes to reduce redundancies and redeploy people where possible.
Catering and travel are among the departments mentioned. The report says men's and women's first-team coaching and performance staff are unaffected, alongside specified academy, community, foundation and security functions.
Some job losses may remain unavoidable, but the available account does not establish the final outcome for every affected employee.
The manager's explanation
Arteta said the exercise had been explained as an effort to improve, place people in appropriate roles and continue investment towards sporting objectives. He also stressed that he was not the appropriate person to answer detailed redundancy questions.
The proposed cuts have attracted attention after his new contract announcement. Arsenal says the restructuring began before that announcement, according to the report.
The Guardian cites 2024/25 accounts showing operating costs rising from £148 million to £201 million. Those figures concern that reporting period rather than a new total for the current season.
The immediate distinction is between roles at risk, efforts to limit the impact and decisions eventually implemented. Arteta's general explanation does not substitute for a completed staffing outcome.