Olabe picked, Arteta choice, Ayto role – Final Arsenal next sporting director decision made

Much like the work carried out under former sporting director Edu Gaspar, Arsenal are being just as considered in appointing his replacement. The wait for that figure to be named is coming to an end, though.

football.london understands that there are numerous candidates being considered for the highly important role. Current interim Jason Ayto is among them.

He oversaw the January transfer window – which has now frustrated many as it left Mikel Arteta without additional attacking support and no backup for Kai Havertz. Whoever is picked to replace Edu on a full-time basis will have to work closely with Arteta.

Between them, the two ex-players helped to transform Arsenal over a number of years. It is reported by The Athletic that Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe, and Thiago Scuro are also options.

A final decision is set to be made in March with interviews being held next month. Here, football.london writers give their thoughts on the names listed and decide who should be called to the post.

Tom Coley

Sporting directors are very hard to judge. There are so many different factors at play and reasons for success or failure. It is rarely transferable to other clubs.

That makes this a massive decision for Arsenal because in Edu and Arteta they had a really good thing. Let’s not forget, however, that Edu was also the man who didn’t deliver a striker over the summer when Arsenal needed one, even if that demand was greater under Ayto last month.

It is hard to see the internal appointment going further due to the mid-season problems but it shouldn’t be ruled out. Arsenal won’t be as reactionary as the rest of us.

Olabe is an interesting name and maybe the most likely. Ashworth simply won’t make it after his time at Manchester United. Berta has a good track record of building competitive squads as well.

Tom Canton

It is always difficult to have these discussions in comparison to players for example as their impacts are much for tangible and easily measured, sporting directors however are very situation. Track records have far more external factors and influences, from budget, to club strength and the level of responsibility in a set up.

For Arsenal, I absolutely think they need to bring in an external candidate, Jason Ayto has done good work. I know that that the opinion on Ayto us low, rightfully so, because of the failed January window, however, his work alongside Edu is known to have been good and he has taken on the Martin Zubimendi discussions and as a result Arsenal are in a strong position there.

However, his role should be supportive of that appointment. For me, Roberto Olabe ticks a lot of boxes, from the links to Mikel Arteta and of course the players that the club have done business with.

His experience and seniority is key for the position and it is time for Olabe to make that next step. He helped bring trophies to la Real after years without and so now is the time for that to be the case again but this time with the Gunners.

Jack Flintham

If I was deciding the next sporting director of Arsenal, I would choose to steer clear of Dan Ashworth. The manner of his exit from Manchester United was suss at best and while the Ineos run club are not the most stable, leaving so soon was a bad look for him as well as them.

Considering what Arsenal need to do in the summer transfer window, they need someone who has experience of building a team for not only surviving in the Champions League but challenging to win it. They also need a sporting director who can work with a limited budget, not just a blank cheque book.

For that reason, I feel Andrea Berta would be a good choice for the Gunners. The work he did alongside Diego Simeone has rightly received plaudits and he has not been afraid to drive a hard bargain as well.

His recruitment of Julian Alvarez seems particularly inspired and should he be able to recreate that in the Premier League, it is only good news for Arsenal.