Roberto Olabe's best signings as Mikel Arteta's preference to replace Edu Gaspar now made clear, amid reports

The Brazilian surprisingly vacated his role as Sporting Director at the Emirates Stadium back at the start of November – leaving Mikel Arteta without his right hand man midway through the season.

Dan Ashworth has been linked to Arsenal after Manchester United decided to part ways with the 53-year-old just 159 days into his tenure.

However, a story from the Daily Mail now states that Arteta wants Roberto Olabe to be the new Sporting Director at Arsenal – with the Spaniard leaving Real Sociedad at the end of the season.

On that note, let’s take a look at the 57-year-old’s best signings since becoming a Sporting Director.

Roberto Olabe helped kickstart Martin Odegaard’s career and secured Alexander Isak for bargain fee

The man from Vitoria has done a tremendous job at Real Sociedad – to say the least – with his third spell at the club proving especially fruitful.

Olabe brought Alexander Isak to San Sebastien for just €10m (£8.3m) back in the summer of 2019 – eventually selling the Swede to Newcastle for £63m, a record sale for Real Sociedad.

The Spaniard also decided to sign Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid for the 2019/20 campaign, helping the Norway international kickstart his career and ultimately become captain of Arsenal just a few years later.

Real Sociedad also won the Copa del Rey in that 2019/20 campaign with the team Olabe helped build.

Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad and Martin Odegaard of Real Sociedad smiles during the Copa del Rey semifinal 2nd leg match betw...

Photo by DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Furthermore, Olabe has not just been alert to young talents, sanctioning cheap deals for David Silva and Nacho Monreal to inject some experience into Real Sociedad.

The Athletic state that he was also pivotal in ensuring iconic figures like Xabi Prieto and Imanol Agirretxe left Real Sociedad honourably.

Most impressively – however – Olabe made a real impact after being handed the responsibility of youth development.

The likes of Robin Le Normand – who was later sold to Atletico Madrid for £32m – rose through the ranks under his guidance, as did Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner for Spain in the final of UEFA Euro 2024, and Martin Zubimendi, who Liverpool want to sign in 2025.

Mikel Arteta knows Roberto Olabe well

Coincidentally, it was actually Olabe who brought Arteta to Real Sociedad from Rangers way back in 2004 while working as manager of Real Sociedad, so the pair know each other well.

Roberto Olabe, the new coach of Real Sociedad, watches the action during the Primera Liga match between Real Sociedad and Espanyol , played at the ...

17 Mar 2002: Roberto Olabe, the new coach of Real Sociedad, watches the action during the Primera Liga match between Real Sociedad and Espanyol , …

Ultimately, thanks to Olabe, Real Sociedad have become one of the most respected clubs in Spain, one known for going about their business properly and effectively, so if he does replace Edu in north London, Arsenal fans should be very excited.