Why Arsenal’s sporting director choice could be a game-changer | OneFootball

Report: Arsenal’s Move for Andrea Berta Signals a Bold Shift in Strategy

Arsenal’s pursuit of Andrea Berta as their next sporting director is not just a recruitment decision; it is a declaration of intent. In the four months since Edu’s departure, the club has reached a crossroads, faced with a fundamental question: preserve continuity with an internal promotion or inject fresh energy from outside?

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Edu was a reassuring presence. His stature as a former Arsenal player granted him credibility in conversations with agents, players, and club officials. His influence was not just in recruitment but in shaping a culture that restored Arsenal to English football’s elite. Replacing him was never going to be a straightforward process.

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Yet the verdict is in. Arsenal have opted for Berta—a figure known for his aggressive negotiation style and sharp eye for talent, honed over years at Atlético Madrid. It is a choice that speaks volumes about their priorities.

A Manager’s Approval and a New Era

Mikel Arteta has given his backing to Berta’s appointment. After nearly five and a half years at the helm, the Arsenal manager knows he is approaching a pivotal phase. His side has pushed Manchester City close but remains without a league title since 2004. With Champions League aspirations growing, Arteta may feel Arsenal need a sporting director who operates with a sense of immediacy—someone capable of securing the final pieces required to transform a contender into a champion.

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Berta does not arrive as a steward of continuity. He is not cut from the same cloth as Jason Ayto, Edu’s former deputy, whose steady, long-term approach has kept Arsenal’s operations ticking over since Edu’s departure. Instead, Berta thrives in the fast lane of transfer dealings, a figure who is less about steadying the ship and more about accelerating its course.

A Tactical Shift in the Sporting Director Role

The sporting director position is still a relatively new concept at Arsenal. Arsène Wenger famously dismissed the need for such a role, remarking: “Is it someone who stands on the road and directs the players left and right? I never understand what it means, ‘director of football’.”

That philosophy remained in place until Wenger’s exit in 2018. Since then, the club has experienced contrasting approaches. Raul Sanllehi, the first to hold a similar position, brought a contacts-driven, agent-focused method. His tenure ended abruptly amid scrutiny over transfer spending. Edu, though initially met with scepticism due to his lack of experience in European football, proved a stabilising presence, guiding Arsenal back into the elite conversation.

Berta’s arrival signals another shift, one that leans towards Sanllehi’s more aggressive, deal-making style rather than Edu’s steady team-building approach. It suggests Arsenal are prepared to take calculated risks, pursuing short-term impact rather than incremental growth.

Navigating the Transition Period

One immediate challenge is how Berta integrates into Arsenal’s existing recruitment structure. Sporting directors are often perceived as the primary architects of a club’s transfer strategy, but at Arsenal, major signings are a collective effort. Arteta plays a key role, as do senior administrative figures such as Richard Garlick and James King. Any deal also requires sign-off from the owners, with Josh Kroenke deeply involved in key decisions.

Since Edu’s exit, Ayto has overseen Arsenal’s summer 2025 planning. He has already initiated negotiations over potential signings, meaning Berta will be walking into an environment where discussions are already in motion. Agents and rival clubs will have to recalibrate their approach, adjusting to a new figure at the negotiating table.

Beyond incoming transfers, Berta’s immediate in-tray includes securing crucial contract renewals. Several of Arsenal’s biggest names—Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel—are approaching the final two years of their deals. Retaining them is paramount. Additionally, the futures of rising talents such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly require attention, with improved terms needed to ward off external interest.

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Equally important is improving Arsenal’s efficiency in selling players. Historically, the club has struggled to extract maximum value from departures. If Berta can instil a more ruthless approach to player sales, Arsenal’s ability to reinvest in their squad will benefit significantly.

Lessons from a Costly January Window

The absence of a forward signing in the January transfer window may have ended Arsenal’s title hopes. Injuries left the squad stretched, yet the club opted not to strengthen in the final third. Some saw this as a failure on Ayto’s part, but the reality is more complex. Recruitment decisions involve Arteta, the club’s budget controllers, and ownership.

Unlike Liverpool, who reinforced in key areas to maintain their title charge, Arsenal stood still. Marco Asensio was one of several players available in January who could have provided an immediate boost, yet no serious pursuit materialised. That inaction may prove costly come May.

Berta’s appointment suggests Arsenal are determined to avoid a repeat of that scenario. His track record at Atlético Madrid, where he helped construct Diego Simeone’s combative, winning sides, shows his ability to identify talent that fits a system and executes deals efficiently.

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However, Arsenal’s financial landscape is different from Atlético’s. The days of lavish, unchecked spending are gone. UEFA’s financial regulations require clubs to be shrewd in their dealings. Berta will not have an unlimited budget to reshape the squad but will be expected to operate within strict parameters, balancing ambition with pragmatism.

A High-Stakes Gamble or a Necessary Evolution?

Arsenal conducted an extensive search for their next sporting director. Their choice of Berta indicates a willingness to step away from the careful, calculated methods of recent years in favour of a more decisive, results-driven approach.

It is a shift that carries risk. If Berta’s aggressive negotiating style disrupts Arsenal’s existing structures, tensions could arise. But if his expertise helps secure the signings needed to take the club to the next level, his appointment could be a masterstroke.

Arteta’s tenure is reaching a critical juncture. He has built a team capable of competing, but now he needs one capable of winning. Berta’s arrival is a clear indication that Arsenal are willing to push the boundaries in pursuit of silverware. Whether it proves to be the missing ingredient or an unnecessary gamble remains to be seen.