Arsenal new signing tipped to transform the club – ‘it’s inspired, to be honest’
Arsenal are set to fall short once again in the Premier League title race under manager Mikel Arteta with Liverpool 15 points clear at the top.
Recruitment at the Emirates Stadium has come into sharp focus with key injuries hitting the Gunners hard this term.
Football Insider revealed last week (6 March) that Arsenal’s appointment of former Atletico Madrid chief Berta is all but done.
They have been without a sporting director since Edu’s departure from Arsenal in November – following five years at the club.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has shared a “very encouraging” verdict after the news.
Berta will bring ‘different skillset and discipline’ to Edu, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Berta’s appointment is “inspired”.
He spent 12 years with Atletico Madrid before leaving the club in January.
Wyness hailed the Italian’s work in the Spanish capital, where he transformed Atleti into perennial challengers in La Liga and Europe.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think it’s quite an inspired appointment, to be honest.
“He was with Atletico Madrid for about 12 years, I think, working with Simeone – so that will be helpful for Arteta.
“I looked at some of the players he’s signed – Oblak, Griezmann, Gimenez, Alvarez, Savic – these are complex deals.
“But he’s got some good players over the line and he’s rebuilt them into one of the top European sides, and that takes a good performance from the sporting director.
“12 years is a long time for anyone and to get a chance to come to the Premier League may have been important.
“I think it will be a great signing for Arsenal. With Arteta, you’ve got the start of a very powerful duo.
“As much as Edu was respected, I think Berta will bring a different skillset and discipline. I’d be very encouraged by that if I was a Gooner.”
Arteta sack update after Arsenal struggles
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (11 March) that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will not face any imminent sack pressure following Berta’s appointment.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Liverpool | 29 | 70 | 42 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 28 | 55 | 28 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 28 | 51 | 12 |
Arteta has faced criticism from Gunners fans this term – with Champions League success the only silverware still possible in the 2024-25 campaign.
The Spaniard won the FA Cup in 2020 – his only major honour as Arsenal boss.
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