Arsenal’s new head of football already having a huge impact

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Raul Sanllehi is unveiled as the new Arsenal Head of Football at London Colney on September 18, 2018 in St Albans, England. The new appointments have been announced by the Club following the decision by current CEO Ivan Gazidis to join AC Milan. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Raul Sanllehi is unveiled as the new Arsenal Head of Football at London Colney on September 18, 2018 in St Albans, England. The new appointments have been announced by the Club following the decision by current CEO Ivan Gazidis to join AC Milan. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Raul Sanllehi, the new director of football at Arsenal, is already eyeing a transfer which has the potential to be huge.

For years, Arsenal have struggled with their managerial and board positions. However, the sad yet timely departure of Arsene Wenger has only resulted in good things as far as the Gunners are concerned. They acquired Unai Emery, who is beginning to pick up steady form, while also facing changes from a board standpoint.

Ivan Gazidis was a real fan favourite during his time with Arsenal. Although, let’s face it, that’s not a hard feat to achieve when you’re partnered alongside Stan Kroenke. Needless to say, Arsenal’s board of directors is not the best, but Gazidis was the best of a bad bunch. But that’s irrelevant now, as Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham move up the pecking order, with Gazidis moving to Milan.

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The former seems to be asserting his position early on, which will come as great news to the Arsenal faithful. According to The Sun, the new director of football wishes to reunite Unai Emery with former midfielder Ever Banega.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Banega is a big talent. He may be ageing, but he still has a good few years left in him, and he could be key to Emery as a placeholder while he looks to build for a brighter future. Having worked together before, the Emirates Stadium could be in for a real treat.

However, what really strikes me is Sanllehi’s role in the news. It hasn’t taken him long to take the club’s best interest to heart, rather than just seeing Arsenal as a cash cow. I expected him to play a big role when joining from FC Barcelona earlier on in the year, but Gazidis’ departure may have excelled things. His departure could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

According to football.london, Sanllehi is also considering the future. The outlet report that he is showing a keen interest in Cristian Pavon, an Argentinian who is showing great promise for Boca Juniors. It’s not the first time Arsenal have been linked with him, but if the move does materialise, then we should give great credit to Sanllehi and company.

It’s refreshing to see a man come into the club and make an immediate impact. It’s what the fans have deserved, and hopefully it’s a sign of better things to come for Arsenal.