Arsenal finally appointed Andrea Berta as the club’s new sporting director on Sunday afternoon.
Jason Ayto held the role on an interim basis after Edu Gaspar left in November, with the Englishman facing criticism for the club’s lack of transfer activity in the January window.
Berta emerged as the leading candidate for the position in early March, as Arsenal identified the new man to lead them forward and the club confirmed this ahead of the season’s run-in.
The Italian will work closely with Mikel Arteta, with the Spaniard understood to have played a role in the recruitment process.
Mikel Arteta shares what he thinks of Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta
Arsenal had a shortlist of five genuine candidates, which they ultimately whittled down to two.
Berta won the race, appointed over Ayto due to his wealth of experience and how much he impressed when holding talks with various members of the Emirates hierarchy.
Expected to liaise with Arteta over signings and the general direction of the club, the Arsenal boss broke his silence on the football administrator in his press conference on Monday morning.
Speaking ahead of the Fulham clash, Arteta waxed lyrical about Berta.
“I think it’s a big addition to the club,” he said.
“A big addition to the team, to a team that is already formed with a lot of great people, with Rich [Garlick] leading it obviously, with James and Jason. A lot of people have been doing work at the club and it’s about building out that chemistry.
“I believe Josh has been part of the process as well, so we’re all very excited to have him.
“I just met him, and straight away the words that come out are always winning and improving and demanding. He’s a very honest and straightforward person with a very clear vision on what he wants to do.
“He was so willing to join us as well, which is a very positive thing because he had many other possibilities and he’s chosen to come to us, so now it’s about us giving him the support and the understanding of the situation and the context straight away and for him to do what he’s already done for many, many years at the highest level, which has been very impressive.”
Berta is expected to be at the Emirates for the visit of Fulham.
Andrea Berta is eyeing Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal
On the same day as Berta’s appointment, David Ornstein revealed that Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres is high up on Arsenal’s list of potential striker signings this summer.
Previous reports have indicated that Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are the two primary targets, but it now appears that Gyokeres is being seriously considered by the Gunners.
It’s understood that Berta is keen on the Swede, and that he’s viewed as a more realistic option to Isak.
While many may have expected Berta to take a back-seat in the first transfer window, with plans likely already in place for some time in N5, it seems clear that this won’t be the case and that he’ll look to implement his own transfer ideas immediately.
Gyokeres has netted 42 goals in 42 games for Sporting this season, and would undoubtedly be an exciting acquisition for the Arsenal faithful.
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