Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal's plan to cut around 60 jobs, saying he has been told the redundancies will help the club "achieve the success we want to create."
The Premier League champions informed staff this week that up to 7% of its 871 permanent employees will be affected, following an internal review led by an external management consultancy. The cuts are estimated to save between £5m and £7m a year.
Chief Executive Richard Garlick told staff the move was aimed at improving efficiency across non-footballing departments, including commercial, marketing and analysis. Coaching and performance staff for both the men's and women's teams, as well as roles in the Arsenal Foundation, Arsenal in the Community and security, will be unaffected.
Arteta addressed the decision at a press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Nottingham Forest, a week after he signed a new four-year deal worth up to £20m a season after leading Arsenal to their first league title since 2004.
"First, this question is not for me," Arteta said when asked about the job losses.
"It was explained to me about the exercise, and the analysis that has been done across the club, and with the intention always to evolve, to improve," he added.
"Some decisions have to be taken to put people in the right roles, and keep investing, to achieve what we want to achieve, the success that we want to create. That has been explained.
"Obviously, I am not the right person to answer that question. That's for sure. And hopefully everybody will respect that."
The club did not allow further questions on the matter. Arsenal recorded record turnover of £691m for the 2024-25 season, but still reported a small operating loss.
