Arsenal hire Boston Consulting Group for cost review months after first title in 22 years

Arsenal are undergoing a wide-ranging cost review after bringing in management consultancy firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to examine the club’s internal operations, just months after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years and reaching the Champions League final.

Chief executive Richard Garlick is understood to be taking a central role in the assessment, which covers a club that employs around 800 members of staff. The review is reported to concentrate on the non-footballing aspects of Arsenal’s operations, and no firm decisions have yet been reached.

A financial review does not necessarily signal impending redundancies. A similar exercise last season resulted in an overhaul of the club’s medical department rather than widespread job cuts. Arsenal declined to comment on the matter.

The move comes as the club attempts to balance ambitious spending with a drive toward financial self-sustainability. Despite significant transfer market activity, Arsenal ranked only ninth among the Premier League’s biggest net-spenders. Their marquee signings were Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United and Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, while Gabriel Martinelli became the club’s most expensive departure, joining Al-Hilal for £60 million. Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard were sold to Barcelona and Besiktas respectively for a combined £28.1 million.

Arsenal’s title-winning campaign generated approximately £300 million for the club, a figure that includes prize money from the Premier League, the Champions League final run, the League Cup final, and an FA Cup quarter-final appearance.

On the pitch, the Gunners have started the new season with three consecutive wins and trail only Manchester City on goal difference at the top of the table.

Ownership, led by Josh Kroenke, has previously stated its intention to make the club financially self-sustaining while maintaining on-field success. In a letter to supporters at the final home game of last season, Kroenke wrote: “The connection we feel with our supporters fills us with pride. Between us, we are building something very special and, wherever this month of May takes us, there will be no standing still when the season ends. We are always forward in our approach, taking the learnings as we go and relentless in the pursuit of progress.”