What can Arsenal fans expect from new sporting director Berta?

As Arsenal prepares to confirm their appointment as their new sporting director, Andrea Berta is scheduled to arrive in the UK before the start of the week.

The Italian has been in arduous discussions about appointing an Italian to take Edu’s place permanently after leaving Emirates Stadium in 2024.

Following the Brazilian’s departure, Edu’s deputy Jason Ayto was a strong contender for the position.

The roles were also up for grabs by former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth and Roberto Olabe, who is currently employed by Real Sociedad.

However, Berta will take over as Arsenal’s new sporting director, with the club currently preparing to make the announcement. The Italian will travel to north London in the coming days to set up his work with the Gunners.

He is anticipated to be present for Tuesday’s Premier League game against Fulham.

The 53-year-old has the reputation of being one of the best sports directors in European football.

Prior to joining Atletico Madrid in 2013, he previously held positions as technical director at the Italian clubs Parma and Genoa.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague described him as “quite unique” in comparison to other sports directors.

He had no professional footballing background; he began his in banking and only started playing football after joining amateur clubs Carpenedolo and Genoa, where he made important connections with Peter Kenyon and Jorge Mendes.

” Under his watch, Atletico won two La Liga titles (2013-14, 2020-21), a Copa del Rey (2013), a Europa League (2017-18), and a Uefa Super Cup (2018).

After the team’s 2014 title-winning team faded, he is regarded as the architect of the rebuild.

Berta assisted Atletico in making some wise acquisitions during that rebuild working with manager Diego Simeone.

Griezmann, a France international, signed for Real Sociedad for £24.8 million in 2014 and was then sold to Barcelona for £103 million. In 2021, Atletico purchased him for just £16.5 million.

Rodri, a former Ballon d’Or winner, signed for £16.5 million in 2018 and sold to Manchester City for $ 62.5 million the following year, while Slovenian goalkeeper Oblak signed for just £13 million from Benfica in 2014. He is now widely regarded as one of the world’s top goalkeepers.

Forward Julian Alvarez signed for Atletico for £81.5 million last summer, and he has so far scored 23 goals this season.

Balague cited the addition of key players like Griezmann (twice), Luis Suarez, Kieran Trippier, Llorente, De Paul, and Julian Alvarez.

He also had some flops, such as Joao Felix, Kalinic, Arias, and Torreira, but he always managed to stay within the club’s means.

Alex Howell, a reporter for BBC Sport’s Arsenal,

He must deal with a few pressing issues.

The main and most obvious task is to get Arsenal to add a much-needed forward. This season, the Gunners have had to deal with significant attacker injuries and haven’t signed a forward in two transfer windows.

Kai Havertz has excelled in filling that void, but it’s always obvious Arsenal needs a natural goalscorer.

Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko have long been in the news, and Newcastle forward Benjamin Sesko has also been linked with a move to north London.

However, Eddie Howe’s Magpies are in contention to finish in the Champions League, which makes it more expensive and challenging to buy Isak.

In addition, Arteta’s side could use a player with some flair and the ability to make things happen when they play Premier League opponents who are ineffective.

Berta will need to address incoming calls as well. With key players Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Bukayo Saka all entering their final two years of contracts, the club is having a big summer.

To allow Arteta to continue building on the impressive work he has done with the team, Berta will need to ensure that those players are kept in check.

Additionally, some players require progression. After Myles Lewis-Skelly emerged, Oleksandr Zinchenko has fallen further down the pecking order, and the Gunners, if they had accepted the right offer, would have allowed him to leave in January.