‘Jason Ayto is a failure’ – Arsenal fans fume after David Ornstein’s update
Arsenal fans have voiced their frustration with the club’s board after receiving an update on the ongoing search for a new sporting director.
The Gunners have been without a full-time sporting director ever since Edu left to join Evangelos Marinakis’ group, which includes Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos, and Rio Ave.
It is believed that Edu’s new role with the group comes with a staggering salary package, reportedly three times more than what he was earning at Arsenal to become head of football operations.
His deputy, Jason Ayto, was promoted on an interim basis and played a key role in deciding who Arsenal would target in the January transfer window. Arsenal had a bid rejected for Ollie Watkins in the window, but the deal didn’t materialise and club ended up signing no players.
Following the latest update, fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with the idea of Ayto taking full control, as they remain concerned about the direction the club is heading.
Arsenal to appoint new sporting director as Jason Ayto and Dan Ashworth emerge as contenders
David Ornstein of The Athletic has reported that Arsenal are set to appoint a new sporting director “next month.”
Several names have been discussed, including current interim sporting director Ayto, former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth, and Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe.
Ornstein also noted that Arsenal’s owners, Kroenke Sports Entertainment (KSE), are “heavily involved” in the decision-making process as they look to secure the right candidate for the role.
Arsenal fans have already voiced frustration towards KSE after the club failed to make any signings in the January transfer window. Their concerns deepened when Kai Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season just days after the window shut.
The German joins a growing list of injured attacking options, including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, leaving Arsenal dangerously thin up front.
Arsenal fans turn on Jason Ayto after January transfer disappointment
With Ayto leading Arsenal’s search for reinforcements in January, supporters have already expressed their disapproval of him being considered for the full-time role.
Many Arsenal fans urged the club to bring in attacking reinforcements during the window to address their injury crisis, and the failure to do so has left the squad exposed.
Supporters have made their stance clear, with one fan stating, “Jason Ayto is a failure already” and that if they appoint him, “the owners/management has nothing good planned for this club”.