Arsenal have let go of Football & CSR Communications Manager Tom Bennett, as well as Michael O’Brien, long-time assistant to club secretary David Miles.
Miles had worked at the club for many years, so it’s surprising to see him leave now. On the other hand, it’s just further evidence that the club are trying to go through a full clear out, to prepare themselves for a new era under the next manager.
In Tom Bennett’s case, it seems he was aware of his departure from before Arsene Wenger’s announcement. That one is therefore unlikely to have much to do with the change in manager.
Since Wenger left, we’ve seen Boro Primorac, Gerry Peyton and Tony Colbert follow him out the door. Then Arsenal’s head of medical, Colin Lewin, was ‘shocked’ to lose his job too. There are rumours that has something to do with the potential appointment of Mikel Arteta, but for the moment that’s just gossip.
Equipment manager Paul Johnson also had to leave his job as a result of the shake up. Steve Bould has been offered a position in the new setup, but at the moment it seems he’s waiting to find out the new manager before accepting the job. It’s very possible he’ll end up leaving as well.
Ivan Gazidis is clearly taking the opportunity to improve any areas he felt were lacking before. It would’ve been difficult to do that with Arsene Wenger still around, as he probably had personal connections with many of them. With the Frenchman gone though, changes are coming.