In the aftermath of Arsenal signing no one in January, there’s been plenty of reports saying that ‘Arteta has gambled on the fitness of Kai Havertz’.
That’s true to a degree, the club’s ambitions will ride on Havertz’s fitness given he’s their only fit striker, but it seems more accurate to say that it’s Arsenal’s gamble, not Arteta’s.
Arteta has seemingly made it clear for a long time that Benjamin Sesko was his number one target, a deal that wasn’t viable this month for a few reasons.
First and foremost, RB Leipzig didn’t want to sell in January, and Arsenal decided against paying over the odds.
Of course, these are all decisions being made without a sporting director in place – Edu Gaspar still hasn’t been replaced.
Arsenal should recruit Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director
In terms of who Arsenal could bring in, Dan Ashworth still seems like the perfect candidate to head up things at the Emirates Stadium moving forward.
Ashworth is out of work after leaving Manchester United and from the outside looking in, his talent ID would be very welcome.
(EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Sporting Director Dan Ashworth speaks to Manager Marc Skinner of Manchester United Women during a training session at St Georg...
After all, Brighton & Hove Albion brought in Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson whilst Ashworth was at the club.
And when in charge at Newcastle United, Eddie Howe’s side recruited both Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak.
It’s too convenient to attribute all these successes just to Ashworth, but club’s he’s in charge of are clearly able to execute deals for lesser-known talents who can make an almost immediate impact, like Arsenal might have needed in January.
Roberto Olabe and Luis Campos should also be candidates for Arsenal
Of course, there will be some who don’t agree with choosing Ashworth, for one reason or another.
But the point still remains, Arsenal can still change everything for Arteta if they recruit an elite sporting director, perhaps even Roberto Olabe from Real Sociedad.
Luis Campos from Paris Saint-Germain might also be a strong candidate – Arsenal simply need someone to help their transfer team knit things together.
In addition, it does seem from the outside looking in that Arsenal could do with some help in terms of their talent ID.
Arteta pushed to sign Mikel Merino last summer for example when others had doubts at the club according to reports.
And whether it’s Ashworth, Olabe, Campos or someone else, it simply feels as if the Gunners need someone in place before the summer, someone who gives the club a clear direction and means of execution in a window when Arsenal fans will hope at their club are very busy.
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