The search for Arsenal’s new Sporting Director is intensifying following the departure of Edu from the club last year. According to reports from trusted journalists, Arsenal’s appointment could be finalised sooner than expected. We caught up with former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere to discuss the options available to the club and who would be best suited to stepping into the role.

Berta’s Success Is Exciting for Arsenal

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on their preferred candidate for the vacant Sporting Director role after Edu resigned in November 2024. According to well-sourced reports, the club aims to make the appointment this month, with several names on their radar, including Jason Ayto, Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe, and Thiago Scuro. Additionally, former Arsenal star Tomas Rosicky has been linked to the job.

However, Aliadiere, who remains deeply invested in the club’s success, believes Andrea Berta is the frontrunner for the role. The former Arsenal striker highlighted Berta’s impressive tenure at Atletico Madrid and the club’s success under his leadership as a promising sign for Arsenal.

“I think by the sound of it and what I was reading this morning, Andrea Berta seems to be the man in pole position at the moment. It seems like only small details remain, so it looks like he could be the new one.”

Berta, who served as Atletico Madrid's Sporting Director from 2017 until his departure in January 2025, played a key role in securing signings such as Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak, and current Ballon d'Or holder Rodri.

“He has great experience and has been at Atletico Madrid for 12 years. If you look at the signings he has made and what the club has achieved, it is very exciting. Very, very exciting.”

Aliadiere also acknowledged Edu’s impact at Arsenal, praising his signings and contributions to the club’s recent resurgence.

“If we look at the job Edu has done from when he came in and where Arsenal were, the signings he has made, I think he has done very well. But of course, we hope to sign some big players now.”

“It is very exciting, and hopefully Berta’s good connections with the players he has signed in the past can help Arsenal. I think he would need to have a great relationship with Arteta. This is not a one-man job—there have to be agreements between Arteta and the new Sporting Director.”

Arsenal’s New Sporting Director Must Work with Arteta

Despite his success at Atletico alongside Diego Simeone, Aliadiere emphasised the importance of whoever steps into the role working in tandem with Mikel Arteta to identify the right player profiles that align with the manager’s vision.

“It is important because a Sporting Director can’t just bring in his own players if the manager doesn’t fancy them. That would create a bad atmosphere. Arteta and Edu had a great relationship, and they agreed on every signing. That’s what Arsenal need from a Sporting Director. But you don’t work at Atletico alongside Diego Simeone if you’re not very good at your job, so I am very excited.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has also been linked to the position, and Aliadiere sees merit in having another ex-player—someone deeply familiar with the club—step into the role in the same way Edu did.

“Of course, on the other hand, we have Tomas Rosicky, an ex-teammate of mine and also an ex-teammate of Arteta. He knows the club, and he knows the fans. He spent many years at Arsenal as a player, so that would be a great opportunity and choice as well.”

“As a Sporting Director, he wouldn’t have the same experience as Berta. For me, it’s very much 50/50. One candidate has great experience, while the other is an ex-player who knows the club, the fans, and the manager. Both choices would be great, but it looks like Berta will be the man.”

Cunha Could Be A Good Signing For Arsenal

One of the players that Cunha knows from his time at Atletico Madrid who has been linked with a move to Arsenal is Wolverhampton attacker Matheus Cunha who has been in fine form for Wolves this season. Aliadiere sees the attacker as a good option for Arsenal who are looking to add to their attacking options this summer

“Berta knows Cunha from their time at Atletico Madrid and it could be a deal that goes through. He’s having a great season in a team that’s struggling to fight relegation. That shows you how good he is and how quickly he’s adapted to the Premier League. He could be a good signing too.”

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