Arsenal are facing a serious economic crisis despite having won the Premier League just a few months ago. According to a report published by *The Telegraph* on Wednesday, the London club would have to lay off around 60 non-pitch employees to reorganize its finances and ensure long-term sustainability. The measure would have been communicated to staff through a video conference by CEO Richard Garlick, who explained that senior management was evaluating staff reductions as a way to balance resources.
The announcement comes in the midst of a very complicated financial context for English football. The IFR, the independent football regulator, revealed that 94% of the country's clubs are making losses. Arsenal, which has invested more than 220 million euros during the summer, closed the last year with record income of 790 million euros, but with a loss of just 2 million. Despite the league victory, the numbers show that the club is still operating at a deficit, something that is not new in its recent history.
The club president, together with the executive director, has reported that the decision to lay off would be made gradually to minimize the impact on the organization. The staff cuts are expected to primarily affect administrative, marketing and operations departments, although the exact positions have not been specified. The aim is to reduce costs and restructure the squad so that Arsenal can continue to compete at European level without compromising its financial stability.
On the same day, the club also announced the renewal of the contract of Mikel Arteta, the coach who led the team to its first title in 22 years. According to *The Telegraph*, Arteta would have received a salary of approximately 23 million euros, positioning him among the highest paid coaches in the world and the highest salary in the Premier League. The renovation, however, has not changed the club's financial situation, which continues to need structural adjustments.
Arsenal are not the only club that has had to resort to layoffs in the past. In August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the club reduced its workforce by 55 positions, leading several players to accept salary reductions to help the club avoid further layoffs. The new measure, although painful, is seen as a necessary response to cost pressures and the need to maintain competitiveness in English and European football.
With the season still underway, Arsenal will have to balance the need to cut costs with the obligation to maintain a competitive team. The club's management has indicated that the dismissals will be carried out responsibly and that the necessary structure will be maintained to continue competing in the Premier League and international competitions. The future of the club will depend on how it manages to manage these adjustments without compromising its performance on the field of play.