Arsenal’s new sporting director will be hired to solely manage the club’s first-team affairs, according to LondonWorld reporter Chris Wheatley.

Speaking on Shots!, Wheatley said that, while the previous occupant of the role Edu had a wider remit, this wouldn’t be the case with the new appointment:

“There are quite a few options for that new sporting director position at Arsenal. I think one of the most interesting things is that Arsenal are going to be looking to change the role a little bit.”

“Whereas Edu before was across the women’s team, the academy and the first team, with Per Mertesacker and Clare Wheatley, there is likely to be just a kind of sole focus on the first team from whoever takes up that role.”

There are currently 4 different contenders to replace Edu

Speaking about the potential candidates for the new sporting director role, Wheatley said that there are, at least, four names in the frame:

“Thiago Scuro at Monaco is one, Simon Rolfes at Bayer Leverkusen – just led them to the Bundesliga title, of course. For me, the most interesting one is Roberto Olabe at Real Sociedad.”

“He recently announced that he’s going to leave the club at the end of the season, and I think that’s certainly going to be quite [an] interesting one to look out for because I think he’s already spoken about clubs contacting him over a potential role.”

“Luis Campos, as well, the advisor of PSG is another one who has a real respected reputation across Europe for his kind of role.”

Arsenal need someone that can work with Arteta

Asked to assess what the Gunners will be looking for in Edu’s successor, Wheatley said that, while knowledge of the transfer market is important, their personal relationship with the manager would be key:

“There’s a couple of things that the club will be looking for in that new role. The first is a contact book because Edu had a vast array of contacts, especially [in] South America where he worked with the Brazilian Federation.”

“I think as well, the most important thing is really being able to work with Mikel Arteta and someone that is going to be able to bounce off ideas from him; someone who he can have a real good working relationship with.”

Considering Arteta is from San Sebastian, Wheatley feels that Roberto Olabe stands out as the ideal candidate:

“I think that’s why Olabe is one that really does look like a frontrunner for the role. I think it is going to be a really interesting decision that Arsenal aren’t going to take any time soon. I think they’re going to take their time over this.”

From the sound of things, Arsenal will be patient before finalising an appointment. Considering the January transfer window is coming up, it appears a lot of the onus for signings will be placed on Arteta and those around him.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here