New sporting director Andrea Berta checked in with members of the media at Sobha Realty Training Centre ahead of Mikel Arteta’s pre-Fulham press conference on Monday morning.
Our manager spoke in glowing terms about Berta’s best characteristics and what he can bring to Arsenal going forward.
“Yes, I think it's a big addition to the club, a big addition to the team,” he said. “A team that is already formed with a lot of great people. Richard [Garlick] leading it, obviously. But as well with James [King], with Jason [Ayto], with a lot of people at the club that have been doing such good work.
“So it's about building out that chemistry. And I believe Josh [Kroenke] has been fully involved in the process as well. So we are all very excited to have him.
“You just met him, and straight away the words that come out are always winning, improving and demanding. And he's a person who is very honest, very straightforward, with a very clear vision of what he wants to do.
“He was so willing to join us, which is a very positive thing as well because he had many other possibilities, and he's chosen to come to us. And now it's about us giving him the support and the understanding of the situation and context straight away. And for him to start to do what he's already done for many, many years at the highest level, which has been very impressive.”
Asked if Berta, who is a hugely respected figure in football and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, can unlock potential for us in the transfer window, Arteta added: “Well, we certainly believe that he is someone who is going to impact the club.
“And he's got that experience, he's got this personality as well, this charisma, and he strives to and wills to win. That is going to be very contagious. It's very much instilled in the football club, especially from the top, because this is what we want to achieve, but to have people as well with different expertise, experiences, and that they've already done it, is very, very helpful.
“The good thing is the strong team that we already have in place, and all the work that the recruitment, that Jason, James, and all the boys have been doing, and everything is prepared. And then that planning has to be tweaked, because what you plan and you execute most of the time ends up being a bit different but the direction, the vision, and what we want to do is clear. He will jump on board with that, and hopefully he will twist it and make it better. That's why he's here.”
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