Being proved wrong can be positive. However there are very few better feelings than being proved right. From when Raul Sanllehi arrived, to when he stated in late May that we "have to outsmart the market", I, like many others had a feeling that Arsenal wouldn't be in the transfer wilderness for much longer.
Arsenal's recent history is littered with embarrassing quotes and excuses. From Ivan Gazidis claiming that we were going to be competing with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, to Arsene Wenger constantly stating the importance of Champions League football to attract the world's best players. Interestingly, this theory has been put into question with the failure to add any outfield player in 2015 and the expensive additions of Aubameyang and Lacazette without the lure of Europe's elite competition. And the less said regarding Gazidis' comments, the better.
It's not Champions League football. It's not an issue regarding wages. It is in part an issue regarding the lack of obvious input from the owners, despite a big effort to clarify their position after the #WeCareDoYou movement. However, the main issue is management of the football club, on a day to day basis. Not the team, the football club.
Enter Raul Sanllehi, head of Football. Initially brought in as director of football relations in February 2018, moving from Barcelona, the Spaniard's role changed when Gazidis left in September 2018. The boardroom changes saw both Raul and Vinai Venkatesham take on high ranking roles at the club. Along with the recent appointment of Edu as technical director, these are the decision makers.
As stated, Raul has a history of working at one of the biggest, and most difficult clubs to manage in the world - FC Barcelona. He developed a natural ability to lead and to oversee large transfers, both in identifying and recruiting. He's not afraid to employ the odd dirty tactic to get his man, whether it's using the media to unsettle a player, or taking advantage of his many contacts behind the scenes. More importantly, he knows football. He's a football man. He is in and around the team on a daily basis and is a direct go-between from Unai Emery to Stan Kroenke. The last time we had a football man in this position, with this power, was David Dein.
Raul spoke about "outsmarting the market" and it looks like he has. Several media outlets spoke of Arsenal's "reported" £45 million budget. I think we can all agree that this is untrue, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was leaked through Mr Sanllehi.
The #WeCareDoYou movement rattled the usually quiet Kroenke family into an interview. Josh Kroenke, heir to the Stan throne, told Arsenal fans to "be excited." The signings of youngsters Martinelli and Saliba (a year early) before the acquisition of Dani Ceballos from Madrid were shrewd, but not exciting. However, with a move for Kieran Tierney reportedly reaching its conclusion, and the stunning news that Nico Pepe should be on his way from Lille for £72 million. Danielle Rugani on loan from Juventus would be the icing on a suddenly very interesting looking cake.
"When Arsenal knock on the door, it's a different knock to other clubs" were the words from Sanllehi when continuing from his outsmarting the market quotes. He couldn't be more right. No Champions League for the third season in a row, yet a possible breaking of our transfer record, as well as several other signings. Arsenal are a different sounding knock.
Josh Kroenke said "be excited" and with Raul Sanllehi looking after the day to day of Arsenal Football Club,, employing very trick in his large book for our benefit, I certainly am.
Up the Arsenal.
@joehurd16
Arsenal's recent history is littered with embarrassing quotes and excuses. From Ivan Gazidis claiming that we were going to be competing with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, to Arsene Wenger constantly stating the importance of Champions League football to attract the world's best players. Interestingly, this theory has been put into question with the failure to add any outfield player in 2015 and the expensive additions of Aubameyang and Lacazette without the lure of Europe's elite competition. And the less said regarding Gazidis' comments, the better.
It's not Champions League football. It's not an issue regarding wages. It is in part an issue regarding the lack of obvious input from the owners, despite a big effort to clarify their position after the #WeCareDoYou movement. However, the main issue is management of the football club, on a day to day basis. Not the team, the football club.
Enter Raul Sanllehi, head of Football. Initially brought in as director of football relations in February 2018, moving from Barcelona, the Spaniard's role changed when Gazidis left in September 2018. The boardroom changes saw both Raul and Vinai Venkatesham take on high ranking roles at the club. Along with the recent appointment of Edu as technical director, these are the decision makers.
As stated, Raul has a history of working at one of the biggest, and most difficult clubs to manage in the world - FC Barcelona. He developed a natural ability to lead and to oversee large transfers, both in identifying and recruiting. He's not afraid to employ the odd dirty tactic to get his man, whether it's using the media to unsettle a player, or taking advantage of his many contacts behind the scenes. More importantly, he knows football. He's a football man. He is in and around the team on a daily basis and is a direct go-between from Unai Emery to Stan Kroenke. The last time we had a football man in this position, with this power, was David Dein.
Raul spoke about "outsmarting the market" and it looks like he has. Several media outlets spoke of Arsenal's "reported" £45 million budget. I think we can all agree that this is untrue, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was leaked through Mr Sanllehi.
The #WeCareDoYou movement rattled the usually quiet Kroenke family into an interview. Josh Kroenke, heir to the Stan throne, told Arsenal fans to "be excited." The signings of youngsters Martinelli and Saliba (a year early) before the acquisition of Dani Ceballos from Madrid were shrewd, but not exciting. However, with a move for Kieran Tierney reportedly reaching its conclusion, and the stunning news that Nico Pepe should be on his way from Lille for £72 million. Danielle Rugani on loan from Juventus would be the icing on a suddenly very interesting looking cake.
"When Arsenal knock on the door, it's a different knock to other clubs" were the words from Sanllehi when continuing from his outsmarting the market quotes. He couldn't be more right. No Champions League for the third season in a row, yet a possible breaking of our transfer record, as well as several other signings. Arsenal are a different sounding knock.
Josh Kroenke said "be excited" and with Raul Sanllehi looking after the day to day of Arsenal Football Club,, employing very trick in his large book for our benefit, I certainly am.
Up the Arsenal.
@joehurd16
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