As Arsenal acquire a new scout for Southeastern Europe, how many new faces have arrived at the club?
Ever since Ivan Gazidis dropped his “catalyst for change” line last season, there has been a steady influx of new faces and appointments behind the scenes.
It’s taken some time to happen but change is occurring in Arsenal’s backroom set-up.
It began in June with the appointment of Darren Burgess as the new director of high performance.
The Australian was renowned for his fitness work with Aussie Rules club, Port Adelaide, and joined Arsenal to compliment Shad Forsythe in the fitness department.
Following his arrival was Huss Fahmy as the club’s new legal expert. Described as the club’s new contract negotiator, Fahmy’s previous role was with Team Sky.
Jens Lehmann rejoined the club in July, this time as a new first team coach who would assist the existing coaching staff by working with outfield players and goalkeepers.
In the same month, Per Mertersacker was confirmed as the club’s next academy director. He will take up the role after retiring at the end of this season.
Arsenal then confirmed the arrivals of Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi in November.
Mislntat is the club’s new head of recruitment, signed after a hefty amount of compensation was paid to Borussia Dortmund.
Known as “Diamond Eyes” for his talent-spotting ability, he identified many of Dortmund’s key players during their title winning successes.
The club’s previous head scout, Steve Rowley, has stepped down into a consultancy role.
Sanllehi now head of football relations at the club and will replace Dick Law in the new year as the club’s chief transfer negotiator He will also represent the club with international and domestic governing bodies.
He arrived from Barcelona, having helped them grow commercially and sign the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Arsenal’s latest new addition is 42-year-old scout, Stelian Farcău, who confirmed on his Facebook account that he will be the club’s new South-Eastern Europe scout.