Arsenal ‘ruined by senior executives clueless about football’
Arsenal have suffered a turbulent period behind the scenes at the Emirates of late despite their continued success on the pitch.
Recent injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have exposed clear failings of the club’s transfer department and led to growing frustrations.
The departure of Edu has also been flagged as a key turning point, as the club have failed to find an adequate replacement and have been caught out.
This comes after former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Mikel Arteta is angry at Arsenal’s hierarchy after continued failings.
Injuries and failure to plan for ongoing issues now mean the manager is forced to compete for a Premier League title with a shoestring squad available.
Now, Football Insider’s Arsenal expert Connor Humm ranted that the current higher-ups at the Emirates “haven’t got a clue about football”.
Arsenal hierarchy slammed after Mikel Arteta ‘angry’ reveal
Arteta is having to lead negotiations behind the scenes, and was key to the signing of Declan Rice after the board initially moved to block the deal based on the price tag.
Arsenal’s failed attempt to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has also been a point of contention given the timing and low-ball nature of the £40million bid.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Humm explained that the issues rest with the non-football people behind the scenes leading the club.
“The issue with Arsenal at the moment is they’ve got people in charge, the higher-ups, who haven’t got a clue about football,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s people like lawyers and that behind the scenes, why is a lawyer handling our transfer business?
“They’re only going to put one thing as their priority and that’s the business deal, not the football club or the player.
“Arteta had to really push with the Declan Rice thing after one of the board members refused to pay more than £80million for him.
“Arteta insisted and said they have to pay whatever he costs – and that’s worked out brilliantly.
“Unfortunately, when you’ve got people like that who have so much influence, it’s a real problem.
“Like why have we not gone out and got Ollie Watkins, for example?
“This was the season Arsenal should have won the league – Man City have absolutely fallen to pieces – and they’ve absolutely blown it.
“If they go and win it now, fair play, because I don’t believe they will.
“I don’t like the way the whole Edu exit happened, I think he had a lot more influence with Arteta, and Arteta is fully involved in everything.“
Raheem Sterling concerns emerge amid Arteta frustrations
Arsenal’s injury issues have left Arteta short of options in the final third, with Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri the only fit attackers at the club.
However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 19 February that Arsenal are concerned about Raheem Sterling’s performances.
The forward has started just four Premier League games this season since arriving on loan from Chelsea, but is now being thrust into the starting XI.
Concerns were raised again after the 2-0 win against Leicester when Sterling was replaced by midfielder Mikel Merino who went on to score both goals.
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