Arsenal were busy on Transfer Deadline Day.
There were two new arrivals in the final stages of the summer transfer window, as Raheem Sterling and Neto arrived at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were in desperate need of a goalkeeper at this late stage, with Aaron Ramsdale already having departed to join Southampton.
Subsequently, sporting director Edu Gaspar took decisive action to land Neto, after the Gunners’ hunt for a new shot-stopper had dragged on for some weeks.
Joan Garcia had been Arsenal’s top target to replace Ramsdale and offer cover for David Raya. However, the Gunners were unable to prise the young ‘keeper away from Espanyol and had to pivot to alternative options.
As it was, Mikel Arteta was able to get the back up goalkeeper he desperately needed as Neto arrived at the club on loan from Bournemouth.
How Neto was welcomed to Arsenal
In behind the scenes footage of Deadline Day goings-on in North London recently published on the club’s official YouTube channel, Neto can be seen arriving at Arsenal for the first time.
Neto is first met by his compatriot Edu, who escorts him into the Arsenal training centre.
Neto is welcomed by Oleksandr Zinchenko and members of the coaching staff. He then quickly encounters Jorginho, who welcomed the 35-year-old to the club in Portuguese, the most commonly spoken language in Brazil, where Neto is from and Jorginho has heritage.
Arteta himself then leads the newcomer through to a press room, where pictures are taken of the manager, Edu, and the new recruit penning his contract.
Edu then presents Neto with his Arsenal shirt, bearing his squad number of 32. Clearly delighted, the goalkeeper holds the jersey against his chest and announces: “Beautiful.”
The sporting director and the new signing finally sit down in a cinema room where a production that welcomes him to the club is played, as snippets of the commentary that accompanied iconic Arsenal goals can be heard.
Why first impressions count for Mikel Arteta
Huge efforts are put into welcoming a player to a new club to help them feel settled quickly and to boost their confidence.
Neto will be aware that he was not the Gunners’ first choice this summer, and will also understand that he is unlikely to feature regularly, unless Raya should happen to be sidelined with injury for a significant period.
However, Arteta preaches the importance of unity, and will still want Neto to quickly feel that he is part of the Arsenal family. Ensuring that he received a warm welcome was part of that process.
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