Andrea Berta 'thrilled' after Arsenal appointment confirmed

Arsenal have kept us waiting, but Andrea Berta's appointment as the club's new sporting director has now been confirmed.

It's long been known that the former Atletico Madrid director would be the Gunners' new man at the helm after Edu Gaspar departed north London last November. Arsenal's search was whittled down to a few contenders a month ago, with Roberto Olabe, Dan Ashworth, Thiago Scuro, and Jason Ayto among the names considered.

However, Berta emerged as a prime option for the Gunners after he left Atletico in January following more than a decade of service alongside Diego Simeone in the Spanish capital. It's believed that Arsenal eventually had to decide between Berta and Ayto, who took the job on an interim basis after Edu's exit. Mikel Arteta's preference for the former ultimately led to his appointment.

Arsenal confirm appointment of Andrea Berta as sporting director

Berta's arrival was made official on Sunday after initial reports of a deal being agreed broke earlier this month. Here's what the new director had to say (via arsenal.com): “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club. 

“I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world. 

“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role, and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters.” 

This was a hugely important decision for the Gunners, who have entered a critical juncture in Arteta's project. When explaining Berta's appointment, co-chairman Josh Kroenke noted that the Italian's "experience" and track record elsewhere played key roles.

“Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams. 

“Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies. 

“We undertook a thorough recruitment process, and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out. We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.” 

The club kept us on our toes, but the new man at the helm has arrived with plenty of time to prepare for a huge summer window. Berta has a few significant tasks at his disposal to kick off his reign, with supporters clamouring for the addition of a superstar centre-forward. Let's hope he's touched base with Alexander Isak's agent!

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