Arsenal’s head of football Raul Sanllehi has officially left the club and, managing

director Vinai Venkatesham will lead the Gunners going forward. Sanllehi originally

joined Arsenal from Barcelona in February 2018 as head of football relations and was

promoted when Ivan Gazidis left the Emirates to join AC Milan last year. What does

Raul Sanhelli’s departure mean for Arsenal?

One thing is for sure and that is, this was a move intended to hand more recruitment

control to manager Mikel Arteta. Arteta recently made history with Arsenal’s FA Cup

victory since no man before Arteta had ever led Arsenal to FA Cup glory as both a

captain and manager. Owners of the club, Stan and Josh Kroenke, hope the changes

can help Arteta steer the Gunners into a new era of success, as the Spanish boss

reconstructs the squad.

Although the Gunners won the FA Cup in 2019/20, they finished in eighth place in the

Premier League, 43 points off champions Liverpool. Arteta’s work is cut out for him

and, after recent changes in recruitment control, the club plans to do plenty of

business this summer, with players coming in and out of the Emirates.

So far, the Gunners have confirmed the signing of Willian on a three-year deal. The

thirty-two-year-old Brazilian playmaker has made the short switch across London after

running down his contract at Chelsea. Willian made 339 appearances for Chelsea after

signing from Anzhi Makhachkala for £30m in 2013.

He won five major honours with Manchester City, including two Premier League titles

and the Europa League, and was also voted as the club’s player of the year twice.

Arteta is quite confident about the signing and commented:

“I believe he’s a player that can really make a difference for us. We had a clear

intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions. He is a

player that gives us a lot of versatility – he can play in three or four different positions,”

added Arteta.

“He has the experience of everything in the football world but still has the ambition to

come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs. I have been really

impressed with all the talks I have had with him and how much he wanted to come.”

Perry Groves, former Arsenal star, has also praised Willian’s signing claiming he

automatically improves the team.

“It’s a very, very good signing. He’s a proven Premier League player and he’s better

than what we’ve got.”

Another potential transfer target from Manchester City is John Stones. Arsenal legend

Ray Parlour has once more reemphasised that he would ‘love to see’ John Stones at

the Emirates next season. Last month, the talkSPORT Breakfast regular commented

that £20million for the Manchester City defender would be a ‘great deal’ amid

reported interest from West Ham.

He further went on to state, “The centre-half position has always been a problem for a

lot of clubs. Will he go? I’d love to see him at Arsenal. Whether they can get the money

upfront and have the money to buy him is another matter.”

“He’s at that age now where he needs to play.”

Unfortunately much to fans dismay, Aubameyang captain of Arsenal has still not

announced a renewed contract with the club. He was expected to do so on 14th

August since the Gunners captain wears the no.14 shirt. Still, Gooners are anxiously

waiting for the captain to put pen to paper on his new deal which is reasonable

considering he has scored 70 goals in 109 games!