Arsenal Announces 60 Layoffs Despite Record Revenues and Historic Title
Arsenal FC announced plans to lay off about 60 employees despite reporting record revenues of 691 million pounds and ending a long trophy drought, sparking widespread criticism.
Arsenal FC has announced a major restructuring plan involving the layoffs of approximately 60 employees across various departments. The timing of this dramatic move has sparked widespread criticism in England, coming at the peak of a rare sporting and financial revival for the club.
Record Revenues Amid Layoffs
After years of enduring the tag of English football's perennial runners-up—following years of massive spending on transfers and bloated contracts without major trophies—the Gunners have made a triumphant comeback. Yet immediately following the celebrations, the breaking of their trophy drought, and reports of record revenues, management has chosen to lay off dozens of staff members.
The club reported record revenues of 691 million pounds for the 2024-25 season, nearly balancing its bottom line with a minimal loss of just 1.4 million pounds. The primary revenue surge came from commercial deals, which jumped by 45 million pounds, largely thanks to a training ground naming-rights partnership with Sobha Realty.
Protected Core and Past Parallels
Club officials clarified that the layoffs will not affect the coaching staff, the men's and women's professional support structures, the academy, security operations, community outreach, the Arsenal Foundation, or the dedicated women's football team staff. Consultations are currently internal, and final decisions remain subject to change.
This move echoes a previous wave of layoffs in August 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Arsenal laid off 55 workers—a step that drew fierce criticism and anger from the club's supporters at the time.
