Here is your Arsenal digest for Sunday, August 16.
Raul Sanllehi leaves Arsenal
Arsenal have confirmed that head of football Raul Sanllehi has left the club.
Sanllehi, who joined the club from Barcelona in 2017 to lead player negotiations, will be replaced by the Gunners' current managing director, Vinai Venkatesham.
“I’m proud and pleased with the contribution I’ve made at Arsenal over the past three years, and look forward to enjoying the club’s future success. Arsenal is a true footballing institution," Sanllehi said in a statement on the club website.
Read his statement in full here.
Ian Wright responds to Sanllehi exit
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has issued a message to the club's chiefs after the announcement of Raul Sanllehi's exit on Saturday.
The former Barcelona man departs the Emirates Stadium after a three-year stint with the club, where the Gunners have struggled to find stability.
While FA Cup glory was achieved this term, Arsenal face a third consecutive season outside of the Champions League following a disastrous Premier League campaign.
Unai Emery, a figure Sanllehi was instrumental in appointing as Arsene Wenger's successor, was sacked and replaced by Mikel Arteta, who faces a tough job revitalising the north London side.
Arsenal's new transfer vision
Even before Arsene Wenger's departure, Ivan Gazidis had a vision for a new structure at Arsenal, one that could endure multiple managers and offer long-term vision to navigate the club through any problems.
Now, half a season into the reign of their second permanent manager since Wenger's 22-year reign, Arsenal have returned to a model not dissimilar to that which their former CEO tore up.
Mikel Arteta's power base will not be comparable to Wenger's; he would not want it to be. But this looks far more like a return to an Arsenal that the club knows works under the leadership of Vinai Venkatesham, one of the few senior figures to have survived the turbulence that has cost so many their jobs.
