Arsenal boss Arteta backs 60-staff cut, defends Saliba reshoot

Mikel Arteta has voiced his support for Arsenal’s administrative strategy following the club’s announcement of plans to dismiss 60 employees. The move comes just days after the Spanish manager signed a new contract with the north London side.

Arteta on workforce reductions

When questioned about the layoffs, Arteta stated he was not the appropriate person to discuss such operational decisions directly. He emphasized that the priority is ensuring the right individuals occupy the correct roles within the organization.

The coach added that continued investment remains essential to achieving the club’s objectives and building the desired success. His comments reflect a stance of backing management’s approach while maintaining professional distance from the specific execution of the cuts.

Saliba returns for official portrait

In separate remarks carried by French outlet Foot Mercato, Arteta addressed the upcoming re-capture of the squad’s official photograph for the 2026-2027 season. Defender William Saliba will participate in the new session after missing the initial shoot due to a medical appointment.

The absence of the French center-back had sparked questions among fans once the original image was released. Arteta explained that the timing of the photo session had been postponed multiple times, largely driven by the club’s commercial commitments.

According to the manager, Saliba is handling the situation with good sportsmanship. He noted that the defender fully understands his standing and importance within the current squad structure.