Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ‘guarantees’ he is on the same page as new sporting director Andrea Berta over transfer targets – with crucial summer looming after another season without silverware
Mikel Arteta said he and new sporting director Andrea Berta are on the same page about which players Arsenal want to sign this summer.
Berta, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was appointed in his new role in March to replace Edu.
The upcoming transfer window is a crucial one for the Gunners, with a new striker at the top of their list.
Both Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are firmly on the north London club’s radar.
When asked if he and Berta are on different pages in terms of transfers, Arteta said: ‘Well, if that happens, that means that we cannot explain ourselves well enough, and we are not clear enough on what we want. I guarantee you that hasn’t happened.
‘It didn’t happen in five and a half years with Edu, and I guarantee you with Andrea (that hasn’t happened).
Mikel Arteta says he and new sporting director Andrea Berta are on the same page
‘They (club hierarchy) are good to say, ‘Look, Mikel, this and this is what we need.’ I said, ‘OK, go and do it.’ And if (we) don’t, it’s because I will ask that many questions as well and we will do so much work that it will be so evident that this is what we don’t have to do.
‘Because as well, we have learned a lot. Some of them (signings) have worked really well and others haven’t.
‘And from the ones (that haven’t worked) we have to learn from it to make sure that we make the right calls. We are all human beings and unfortunately, nobody has got a crystal ball here.’
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz could feature against Newcastle on Sunday in a game which victory would seal Champions League football for next season.
The German has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring tear on Arsenal’s mid-season camp in Dubai in February.
But he is now back in the fold, and Arteta has been impressed by the striker’s physical transformation.
Arteta added: ‘We’re going to decide on him tomorrow. He’s done certain parts of the sessions in the last two days.
Berta, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was appointed in his new role in March to replace Edu
‘He looks in great shape but I think it’s more a shout of the medical staff, the doctor especially, giving the clearance and then how Kai actually feels to contribute if he’s required.
‘His work rate (has been) unbelievable. We know how important Kai is for us. And the fact that he looks in great shape, I think he’s improved a lot of the metrics that are very important for a striker to give himself the best chance.
‘And you see the transformation on him, which has been really impressive.’
