Arsenal: The Raul Sanllehi contract evolution crucial to everything

Raul Sanllehi is changing the contract culture at Arsenal. Such an evolution is crucial everything that this iteration of the club is trying to build.

When Ivan Gazidis followed Arsene Wenger out the door at London Colney, courted by AC Milan who wanted the Arsenal Chief Executive to lead their resurrection, the club changed irrevocably.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

The man who succeeded him, in role if not title, Raul Sanllehi, has not wasted time in setting out his stall on one of the most contentious issues surrounding the management of the club and the squad: contracts.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Speaking back in October, Sanllehi had this to say regarding the general practice of the Gunners of recent years in allowing many of their players’ contracts to wind down into the final year:

"“In general, I do believe that a player’s contract should never go to the last year, as a policy. But I don’t think I am inventing the wheel. Anybody could agree on that. Normally, the contracts of the players are for five years. You need to have a clear idea of what you want to do with that player when he is in the third year, at the latest.”"

That is comforting to hear, to say the least, considering the recent troubles that Arsenal have waded through as a result of their contract mismanagement. And given the contract activity of the club, prior to Gazidis’ departure and since, it is clear that Sanllehi is taking a far more decisive and ruthless approach to the players’ contracts.

Over the summer, new deals were agreed with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Reiss Nelson, Alex Iwobi, Granit Xhaka. Now, it is impossible to say what part Sanllehi played in the completion of those deals. Such information would never publicly divulged. But the fact that such a wide range of contracts to young players with bright and extended futures has been signed in such a swift period of time indicates the growing efficiency and clinical nature of Arsenal’s contract management.

And it did not take long for Gazidis to step out the London Colney door before Arsenal confirmed that Aaron Ramsey would be leaving the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. I am sure that decision was made a long time before Gazidis departed, but it does go to show that Sanllehi’s iteration will not be a slow, lethargic one.

This contract evolution is key to everything that this club is now building towards. The inability to retain and then complement talent was a key reason why Arsene Wenger could not keep his team at the sharp end of the Premier League. If Unai Emery wants to re-assert the Gunners as potential title challengers, then he will need his best players, and not just for the odd season.

The north London outfit is changing the way it is managing its contracts. Led by Sanllehi, this is a more clinical, ruthless and efficient organisation, making decisions early on, prioritising long-term security and continuity. And it is absolutely key to everything that they are trying to accomplish.