Arsenal have finally managed to bag their Edu replacement with former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta arriving to replace the Brazilian at the Emirates Stadium.
Berta's big task will be to work with Mikel Arteta to take the Gunners to the next level and win the Premier League title. Arsenal look set to miss out on the silverware this season after Liverpool's incredibly consistent campaign and with Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United expected to come back stronger next season, the north London club cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
The summer transfer window opens in June and before then it will be the Italian's task to assess what Arsenal need and who they should be looking to sign. This all comes while Berta adapts to his new life in London and the challenges which the Premier League holds.
One adaptation which Berta may have to get used to is his place on a matchday. In continental Europe, it is a common sight to see the sporting director in the dugout alongside the manager during matches.
Mikel Arteta on the touchline at the Emirates Stadium with his backroom staff behind him on the bench
Mikel Arteta on the touchline at the Emirates Stadium with his backroom staff behind him on the bench (Image: Michael Zemanek/REX/Shutterstock)
Berta was particularly visible in 2022 during a heated match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City in the Champions League. In England, the sporting director role is seen as a boardroom appointment rather than a backroom staff recruit with Edu often seen sitting in the director's box during matches.
This is likely to remain the case for Berta considering Arteta's bench is already stacked on a matchday as is. That being said, Arteta will be hopeful that he can forge a close bond and impressive working relationship with the Italian moving forward that can yield impressive results.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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