Andrea Berta has taken up the role of Arsenal sporting director at a crucial time, stepping in just in time to oversee the club’s transfer activity this window. The Gunners had been operating without a figure in that position since Edu unexpectedly departed at the end of last year. Berta arrived with a strong reputation, recognised as one of the most accomplished sporting directors in European football.
Arsenal’s Transfer Approach Under Berta
Following another season without silverware, in which Arsenal came close in the Champions League, Carabao Cup and Premier League, the club were determined to strengthen the squad. Their domestic rivals had already been active, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United completing key signings while Arsenal appeared slower to act.
Much of the early summer was spent weighing up options, particularly regarding Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, with Arsenal’s leadership aware that only one would be signed. This cautious approach left some supporters frustrated, with questions raised about whether Berta was the right appointment or whether he could truly step into Edu’s shoes.
Key Deals and Changing Perceptions
As reported by Football Insider, the tide soon turned as Berta began to make decisive moves. Deals were finalised for Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera and Gyokeres, strengthening key areas of the squad. In a particularly eye-catching development, he hijacked a proposed transfer for Eberechi Eze, who had been strongly linked with Tottenham, demonstrating both ambition and authority in the market.
Now, another significant acquisition appears imminent, with Piero Hincapie expected to join Arsenal within hours. These moves have not only bolstered the team but have also shifted the perception of Berta among the Arsenal faithful. According to the report, fans are now openly expressing admiration for his impact, with some even suggesting he deserves a statue in his honour at the club.
The work carried out under Berta’s guidance has reinvigorated optimism around the Emirates, and there is a growing belief that his leadership could be pivotal in transforming Arsenal’s ambitions into tangible success. While supporters celebrate his immediate contributions, the long-term test will be whether these signings help deliver the trophies that have narrowly eluded the club in recent seasons.
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I think he has overseen one of the best transfers windows I can remember. He has addressed the reinforments needed in our starting 11 and added depth to the squad in the correct areas 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Now I’d like to see him work his magic and get us top prices on some player sales- that would just be the icing on the cake! Come on Arsenal! 💪❤️🤍
For me he’s certainly delivered on the bringing in players front.
But bearing in mind our recent poor record regarding offloading players, I think he needs to be blessed in the arts of being a magician to improve our record of offloading said players. Good luck Mr Berta 🤞 you’re going to need it. 🤦♂️
Derek, agree, some things can’t change overnight. He has been dealt a much better hand to work with on the acquisition side rather than the selling side. For me, from the outside trying to look in, he has appeared to be incredibly effective on the acquisition side but, as I would have expected, the selling is proving to be a more difficult nut to crack. Given the limited funds that would likely be generated from the sale of players considered excess to requirements, I’m not too bothered by not bringing in a significant haul in this window.
What I think of Berta, first to Start with he’s not a figure head, he has an aggressive unorthodox approach style of signing players.
His style of a multi target strategy, negotiating for several players in the same position simultaneously to secure options, gain a strong negotiating stance, and act quickly to avoid missing out on targets gives the media outlets a field day.
You can see the confusion between Sesko and Gyokers, my understanding he would only sign Sesko for half his reported cost as a result he was never in the running.
But the Italian approach follows a strick guide line of recruiting tactically discipline players with high work rate and tactical intelligence.
Had Arsenal fill the important spot with new recruit in January without his blessings, not sure he would be at Arsenal today
A successful window is not just incomings but out goings.
Berta and co spent a big chunk of the summer after sesko ,then went to gyokeres and that took a while to complete. That resulted in lack of pre season for gyokeres and lack of the player getting used to Arteta’s tactics.
Then there is the trossard extension – which makes zero sense if the duration hasnt been increased.
Yet when havertz went down injured , eze was immediately signed …no wasting of time .
The exits have been poor. Kiwior leaving on loan with an obligation to buy – they could easily do what chelsea did with sancho if he doesnt excel. If he does then they have a bargain on their hands.
We have seen chelsea, city and Liverpool move players on with ease, city sold players who have made a few appearances or just minutes and sold them on for a collective figure of £100m
I am happy with the squad depth that berta has created but zinchenko, Nelson, hein, lakonga, viera all had to be moved on early . The best offer we got for hein was… a loan- yet his contract expires in a year.
Lets not also forget the part the owners have paid in all this. 👍
👍 Absolutely Reggie
Well said Reggie!!
I cannot understand why the Kronkie family are still getting stick from certain fans.
The past is the past and moaning about it won’t change anything.
The fact that when Berta was actually signed, would have had an influence on the previous window seems also to have sailed over some fans heads!!
It will be interesting to see who leaves and for what amount, but I’m pretty sure it will only be those players out on loan and, perhaps, Zinchenko and Nelson.
To be fair I said in January this would happen
They will spend money as a PR stunt and certain fans will then forget January
Genius business model
I maintain mate if any fan is happy how Arsenal have been run under the Koronke Family, good on them
Well I am sorry, they are definitely not spending money for PR stunt. That is 100% not the reason. And since Kronke took over ownership in 2018, they have do nothing but support the manager and football club. What you say is baseless and you opinion. There is no proof in what you are saying at all. Your agenda against what the family are doing is very strange and completely baseless.
Reggie, when you look at the owners of most of the clubs in the Premier League, you might consider Arsenal very fortunate to have the Kroenkes.
NOW I do. I was not a fan, when he first joined the board BUT I will go as far to say, we have an excellent owner, who is funding this club for success. That has NEVER happened before.
Me too, and some people are still stuck in those cozy far off days of the Bracewell-Smiths & Hill-Woods.
Yes Jax, we can not complain about our owners, we are in good hands these last few years. Breaking our tranfer record, breaking our spending record and building the biggest/best value squad in world football. Unprecedented!!!!
What do you mean Unprecedented mate lol ?
Do you mean at Arsenal or as In elsewhere
We were more successful before he joined our board
If he left tomorrow would you say he’s been a success ?
Generally asking
He owns the team, he doesn’t manage it. We have won very little since 2018 but the money he has let be invested in the club, we have never seen the like of before. The fact we have not won anything is not because of our owner. Being successful is something he supports with finance and that side of it has been supported more than we could have dreamed. I really do not get where you are coming from. His support as an owner has been top notch. He couldn’t have done much more. The fact we have won nothing in the last 5 years, needs a look at elsewhere.
Explain how for the first time in our history, our squad is the most valuable in the world, if he has been a poor owner? He has financed it.
I didnt say he was a poor owner
Long term readers like Sue will tell you that as a business …he’s a genius and runs a smart model
Imagine taking the third most successful club in England out of Europe – 8th – the Super League debacle – 22 years without a title and getting a customer to pay over the odds yet the same customer in 2025 says your excellent and this is Unprecedented
So no …he’s not a poor owner
It is a business that relies on business acumen and the continued support from its supporters
You have some starry eyed belief that I can’t fathom in terms of what they should be doing.
Please write an article on why this window is so bad. Add in why it was futile of me to expect Ollie Watkins to overcome the Liverpool advantage.
Believe me, it has nothing to do with anything other than the club realising the league was really over in January. Wishful thinking that it wasn’t is fanciful. Making the wrong move in January would have hampered the window in the summer
And the summer before that Sue
Go check the net spend
Who gives a s h 1 t? It’s this season now. The money has been allocated and spent. There has been a bit of tit for tat on the signings but overall the club is heading in the right direction and what is the cause for argument at this particular point in time?
Exactly
I said in January you would say that
Were they bad for the longevity and sustainability of the club? I don’t know but Arsenal have as long as I can remember, stood out as being well run.
I just wouldn’t say they been excellent or the last few years have been unprecedented lol
That’s why I was generally checking if he meant at Arsenal or elsewhere
Disagree mate
Fans were turning in January because they only spent net 15 million in 3 windows
So what do you do
Spend approx 200 million this summer , certain fans will say oh look they have changed
In reality , a Billionaire has spent what net 200 million in 4 windows
Opinions though of course
Go back to the Super League I predicted as a PR stunt they will spend big then slow spending down
Urgh!!! You seem to be in the minority. I don’t see you getting a lot of support on that. You keep banging your drum but its not sending much of a message.
I’m confused made
Was asking your opinion on what you mean by unprecedented?
Was generally interested
Sending a message to who exactly?
Also why would it matter if you get support on an opinion ?
An opinion should never be swayed by what the majority think.
Being In the minority also does not make me wrong
I was in the minority when I said Arsenal won’t win the title under this ownership and have been proven right
I think for myself
I look at where Arsenal were before 2008 and now ?
Then I ask are there moments where they could have done more ?
Generally was asking but if you only go by what the majority think there is zero substance in the debate
Dan, why are you looking at where they were before 2008 and now?
Mr Kronkie didn’t own the club outright until 2018, so why not take your comparisons from that date to now?
I think I know why, it doesn’t suit your argument.
Of course, being in the minority doesn’t mean one is wrong, but it should, at the very least, give one food for thought wouldn’t you say? I’m sure you will have of course!!
Anyway, the past is the past and nothing can change it – I’m living in the present and watching Mr Kronkie deliver the promise his son made after the Super League fiasco.
We have the third most valuable side in the world, we have players wanting to come to our club over the likes of liverpool, chelski, city115 and the spuds, we have gone further in the CL than we have for a decade, we have finished 2nd three seasons in a row, the club, players and 99% of the fanbase are as one and, after just three games for most clubs, only Liverpool and The Arsenal from the big six can equal the Invincibles.
By the way, what figure was it that you predicted our nett spend would be in this window and how’s that looking?
Because 2008 was when he first joined the board
Approx 2011 hes had over 60 percent shares and serious power of the club
I would say to ignore that is because it doesn’t suit his own argument
But if you want to only look outside 2018 let’s have a look ……
The Super League?
Protests with sign of Stan Out ( only me though )
Worse league finish in quarter of a century
Failure to qualify for Europe for first time in 25 years
The disgrace that was January
In Josh Koronke own words ……only trophies should be viewed as success and ‘ Arsenal fans should expect the best ‘
So no they have not been excellent owners
I predicted our net spend would be 200 million Ken in response to saying it won’t be near 300 million
So let’s look from 2018 onwards..
Arsene Wenger left the club after finishing 6th in the league.
Unia Emery appointed and we finish 5th and get to a European final.
Next season he’s sacked and Mikel Arteta joins and wins the fa cup and qualifies for European football.
Next two seasons sees an 8th and 8th PL finish, no further trophies, worst position in a quarter of a century and no European football for over two decades.
The Super league debacle that was supported by City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and not just Arsenal of course.
The owner, via his son, explained the thinking behind saying they would join, admitted they got it wrong and promised to support the club and manager.
That season we finished 5th and still no recognised trophies.
Then came the start of where we are today.
Mikel Arteta was fully backed, money was put into the Emirates stadium, new sponsorships were created, money was forthcoming and we finished 2nd three times in a row.
Stability returned, fans and players were on board with the project and here we now are, having reached the semi final of the CL for the first time in nearly twenty years, likely to see spending north of £300 million in one window, the third most valuable squad in the world and counting, players wanting to come to the club, while turning down the likes of Madrid, City115, chelski, manure and the spuds in order to play for Arteta and our club.
The progress, after the initial two full seasons, has been remarkable and, from being very unsure of what the owner and manager wanted, I have become a strong believer in what they are doing.
Mr Kronkie has turned out to be a man of his word and I for one feel safe in the knowledge that our club is being run properly and supported financially and not just with words.
Each to his own opinion Dan.
I didn’t read all of that mate but will say this
I have always said ( and you know this) the Koronke have the ability to prove me wrong
I been very complimentary of Berta this summer and the likes of Eze and Gyokeres signings
I also have sent an article saying how lessons may have been learnt
If next summer they are spending another ( net) 200 I can’t say anything
Yet overall would I say they have been excellent owners – not yet
From a business point of view – fantastic
From a sporting point of view – terrible
And he is on his own on this one ken!!!!
Good post Ken. Back in the day when the clubs website had a message board, every poster bar one was against Kroenke. The first thing he did when becoming the majority shareholder was to shut the message board down 😡. That decision made him even more despised.
Since he became the sole owner of The Arsenal I’ve changed my stance on him. He’s done something the previous custodians never done, he’s put his own money into the club. He’s also backed Mikel in the transfer market, especially in this window, which has been the best I’ve ever known. Hopefully we now go on to start winning trophies.
You changed your stance on him ?
So you too had doubts ?
Yep, especially since he’s left his son Josh in charge. I dare say most people had doubts in the beginning.
I was on my own when I said we wouldn’t win the CL or Prem mate lol
Why do you need validation off strangers on the Internet?
Odd
Berta is a quality act in my opinion and has had a very successful “buying” window. That said, the “selling” side – and it should be seen as two sides – has been poor so far although there’s still time (just) to offload a few.
It’s worth noting that although our next opponents, Liverpool, has easily outspent Arsenal on transfers this summer, even if they add Isak at around £130m, their net spend will still be about the same as Arsenal’s (currently) because of players sales.
Isn’t part of it about having had players in the first place that had any meaningful resale value?
SueP
That’s the same in any market – football players or fishfingers. You’ve got to have “product” that, ultimately, people want to buy. However, I don’t think particular clubs have any special gift in picking such players.
If you’re trying to sell several players that don’t have “meaningful resale value” that’s down to the judgement of the people involved in the purchase of those players in the first place.
In Arsenal’s case we’re trying to sell the likes of likes of Vieira, Lokonga, possibly Kiwior and Zinchenko (as well as Nelson, but he’s home-grown). If Arsenal, even with Berta’s considerable skill, can’t sell most of them in the end, then there’s a lesson to be learned, isn’t there. But that’s down to Arsenal surely.
Mm SueP…. perhaps the players weren’t as bad as one thinks they were until MA started messing around with them in his first two seasons?
Surely a squad that won the fa cup should have been managed better and sold, rather than been given away in certain circumstances?
I certainly wouldn’t expect that to happen today and we’re seeing players like Vieria and Zinchenko being put up for sale rather than cast off and being paid by the club for the
privilege!!
Will have to beg to differ Ken1945. The win in the FACup was fortunate as the team were not the best imo. We overcame 2 very strong teams but as everyone says, a cup can throw up anomalies
Something must have been amiss if Wenger and Emery missed out on CL qualification. Whether it was Arteta messing with them afterwards that produced poor league finishes or the fact that it was all going the wrong way beforehand is open to debate. Were Mislintat and Sanhelli not also to share some of the blame?
I recall Dan in the long distant past calling out Arteta as a yes man. Who decided that the players who were the bad apples could and should be paid off? Money was lost but in the end it has been for the benefit of the club. My honest view is the purge was necessary but definitely painful
I find it really curious that people are still debating this issue. Some of us said then that the squad wasn’t good enough and needed an overhaul.
It also wasn’t realistic to get good transfer fees for most of those players.
Could not agree more David BUT the point is how the players were and still are being devalued, by the wat they are not played and treated. Ramsdale, Tierney, Gouendouzi, Lehman, Martinez, Viera, Maitland Niles, Aubameyang, Tavares and many more all let go for free, or being sold at a massive loss and many being sold on later for more money. Or their values increases the minute they leave Arsenal. Its about timing. For instance, we get offered 20 mil for AMN and sell him later for far less. We give away Auba for nothing Chelsea sell him him for pure profit of 10 mil one year later and there is more. Its not about the way we sell them but the wastage and devaluation.
Who was responsible though? Arteta on his own or the lot in the board room? Pepe. All that money down the toilet. Aubameyang. Effectively washed his hands of the captaincy and the club. Somebody was in charge of that kind of thing at the top. It had to be their policy and their valuation as Arteta was too new and I doubt would have the authority to kiss transfer money goodbye
The point people are making re sales of others clubs like Chelsea and City is a little moot considering how much those clubs have been spending on players….
If we get players put on loan with an obligation to buy that all counts towards PSR and also the UEFA Co efficient. As fans that’s all we should be worried about in terms of our ability to make future
Seems we are bringing in the Leverkeusne defender on a loan so matches Kiwior going out
I think we will sell Zinch Nelson and Vieira…haven’t seen anything re Lokonga but guess he can still go on loan
Who else needs to be sold / loaned ?
The point isn’t moot because they’re balancing their books (on transfers) which is important. Don’t forget Chelsea has raised an additional £250m from academy sales alone over the past three seasons – and that’s all profit.
If you buy players but don’t/can’t sell others that are surplus to requirements then you’re missing out on the potential fees and the wages saved, unless they’re loaned out again.
If Arsenal sold Vieira, Nelson and Lokonga – not very likely, but you never know – apart from fees raised it would save about £12m in wages a season which would easily cover, say, Gyokeres’ wages. It’s just good business practice.
The point is moot. I completely understand and stated re balancing the books
My comment re moot is people saying Berta is not as good as the other teams. But they have better players to sell as they invested heavily over the last decade or more… We don’t as we haven’t
So to say Chelsea sold £250mn of players so we are not as good is moot as we don’t have those type of players to sell
And agree and said re PSR and UEFA coffeiceients that we need to get players put on loan at least to save the wages.. if there is an obligation for that club to buy that helps for next seasons transfer business also
So I think we are saying the same thing in some essence
I don’t know why fans should be bothered about the amount our club is able/not able to sell outgoing players this season as if that will have any negative effects on how we perform on the pitch.. Fans should rightly complain if not been able to sell players has a direct effect on bringing in new players …but in our case it has no direct effect…so why the fuse about not selling players… Leave that to the club it’s non of our business in as much as we’ve already seen a significant change in how we brought in new needed players.
👍
Our Sicilian Mafioso.
The Godfather. 🤓
And I remember in June when the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City etc were signing players during those few weeks to facilitate the CWC clubs.
The way many Arsenal fans reacted because we were not signing / had not signed anyone during thar month.
One would have been led to believe that the Summer window had closed and Berta had not signed anyone for us.
Some people as always got their sensationalist groove on and started moaning and complaining about Berta being a fraud etc.
🤭
👍
‘ Arsenal should only expect the best …..because they had that their whole history .
Success and the goal is to win the PL trophy ‘
Josh Koronke said that
It’s been a fantastic incoming transfer window, not so good outgoing. 30 hours to go to sell any player that is not needed in our squad. Hopefully we can get some big money for them, but I very much doubt it.
That sums it up perfectly HD.
But the point Reggie and I are making, is that we devalue our own players with ludicrous contracts letting them sit at home and giving them away, while still paying them.
All since MA became manager – whether that’s all down to him is a valid point from SueP but I guess we’ll never know.
To think that a club of our size has a record transfer fee out of under £40 million is mind boggling!!