Arsenal are preparing for their Champions League round of 16 clash against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night, with Mikel Arteta’s team hosting an open training session on Monday morning.
The Gunners are in dire need of a result in the Netherlands, after suffering a dismal defeat to West Ham and a bleak draw against Nottingham Forest in their last two matches.
However, they’ve had six days off to prepare for the European clash, and should be well rested and ready to put the sword to the Eredivisie outfit.
During this short break in the season, Arsenal have made progress in their pursuit of a new sporting director, as Andrea Berta is now considered the favourite to replace Edu Gaspar.
Josh Kroenke spotted in Arsenal training on Monday
Edu Gaspar left Arsenal in November after opting to take a job overseeing the network of clubs owned by Evangelos Marinakis.
The Gunners have been looking for a new sporting director since the Brazilian departed, with Jason Ayto standing in on an interim basis.
Progress on the front appears to finally have been made, after Fabrizio Romano revealed on Monday morning that Andrea Berta is expected to take the job.
It’s possible that the deal to bring the former Atletico Madrid man to the Emirates is close to being finalised, after Josh Kroenke was spotted attending Arsenal’s training session at London Colney today.
The owner’s son was seen strolling around the training pitch, with his presence in London potentially due to him engaging in conversations around the next technical director in recent days.
Josh Kroenke needs to back Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta in the next transfer window
Edu and Arteta formed a fruitful relationship at Arsenal, with the pair combining effectively together to rebuild the Gunners’ squad in the last five years.
Now, Berta will have to forge a similar bond with the Arsenal boss, with the pair tasked with adding the final pieces to the jigsaw ahead of next season.
However, the duo will need the backing of the Kroenke’s, with significant investment required in the summer.
Arteta and Berta can be exceptionally talented, but they don’t stand a chance of usurping the club’s rivals to major honours without the economic support of the ownership group.
The upcoming transfer window will be a very revealing window for the Kroenkes, with their resolve in their backing of the club set to be tested.
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