Arsenal have made a number of additions to their backroom and coaching staff this season, after chief executive Ivan Gazidis promised a “catalyst for change” in the summer.

Arsenal typically do not make major changes to their staff, but this season has seen a high number of new arrivals and with Arsene Wenger set to leave this summer, change will become the new normal.

It all began in June with the appointment of Darren Burgess as the Director of High Performance.

Darren Burgess Picture Morne de Klerk Getty Image
Darren Burgess, now Arsenal’s Director of High Performance. Picture: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

The fitness expert was working with Aussie Rules club Port Adelaide and was key to their title-winning success.

While he is splitting his duties between Arsenal and Port Adelaide at the moment, Burgess is expected to work together with Shad Fosythe to improve and manage the fitness of the Arsenal squad.

Following Burgess’ arrival, Huss Fahmy was then confirmed as the club’s new legal expert.

Huss Fahmy formerly of Team Sky
Huss Fahmy, formerly of Team Sky

Fahmy had worked with Team Sky before joining up with Arsenal to work on the legal aspects of the players’ contracts. The club have recently described him as the contract negotiator.

In July, Jens Lehmann arrived as a first-team coach.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper was signed to augment the coaching staff already at the club, by working with both outfield players and goalkeepers.

Lehmann Mertesacker Germany
German players goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and defender Per Mertesacker pose prior to the kick off of the Euro 2008 championships final football match Germany vs. Spain on June 29, 2008 at Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria. Picture: OLIVER LANG/AFP/Getty Images

Per Mertesacker was also confirmed to be Head of Academy next summer. He will retire as a player at the end of the season before taking charge of the next generation.

Throughout the opening months of the season, speculation mounted about two new arrivals. Both eventually arrived in November.

Sven Mislintat was the head scout at Borussia Dortmund, and has joined Arsenal as their new Head of Recruitment.

Sven Mislintat
Sven Mislintat, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, has become Arsenal’s new Head of Recruitment.

He replaces Steve Rowley, a long time servant of the club. Rowley was set to take on a consultancy role but what happens now Wenger is leaving is anyone’s guess.

Mislintat’s arrival is arguably the most exciting, given Arsenal paid out millions in compensation to sign him.

The latest addition is Raul Sanllehi, who was the Director of Football at Barcelona before deciding that a fresh start was necessary.

Raul Sanllehi
Raul Sanllehi has joined Arsenal as Head of Football Relations.

He joined Arsenal in February in a new role as the Head of Football Relations, taking over from Dick Law.

Arsenal describe his responsibilities as “leading future player negotiations” and “representing and supporting the club with international and domestic governing bodies”.

The next appointment will be, of course, a new Arsenal manager. At the time of writing, Luis Enrique is said to be in ‘advanced negotiations’ with the club.