According to the latest reports, Premier League side Arsenal have now explained why their plan to seal up a move for Monchi as the clubs Sporting Director has failed. There were plenty of other clubs interested in hiring Monchi as La Liga giants Sevilla are also keen on bringing the Spaniard back to his native. However, the Gunners were not able to sign him due to their transfer plans for the upcoming transfer window.
Ever since Unai Emery took charge as head coach of Arsenal back in the summer of 2018 he has done quite an admirable job by replacing the legendary manager Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman was in charge of Arsenal for 22 long years and won quite a few major honors during his tenure as Arsenal boss. Wenger’s philosophy was quite different at the start of his managerial career but towards the last few years, it grew stale and boring.
Even the Arsenal fans were sick and tired of Wenger’s outdated tactics and the fan base was getting toxic. After Wenger announced that he is leaving Arsenal last summer, Unai Emery took up the job and he has breathed some fresh life into the club. However, his former associate and friend was not happy with the transfer plans that the Londoners had set up and decided to join Sevilla.
Emery stamped his authority into the club and decided to let go of some key players at Arsenal who would not be a part of his plans in the future. He guided Arsenal to a 22 game unbeaten streak across all competitions and progressed through to the quarterfinals of the Europa League as well. Arsenal currently sits in fourth place on the Premier League table and is also in the hunt for a Champions League spot.
The Gunners also hired Sven Mislintat in the summer as the head of recruitment but things turned sour with Emery as the pair had a few issues with each other. After just a few months into his job, Mislintat left in February leaving a vacancy and also the opportunity for Emery to appoint whom he wants.
There were plenty of reports that had claimed Monchi would be taking up the job at Arsenal as Sporting Director of the club. Arsenal fans were delighted to know this because the pair worked wonders together at Sevilla. At the Spanish club, Monchi and Emery won three consecutive Europa League titles on the run.
According to journalist John Cross, Arsenal was ‘expecting’ Monchi to arrive at the Emirates Stadium after he quit his job as Sporting Director of AS Roma just a few weeks ago. Monchi scouted some really talented players at the Italian capital and his work was much appreciated by the Serie A club.
However, Monchi’s reunion did not work out with Emery with the Londoners having some other plans for the summer transfer window, as Arsenal were amidst of preparing to offer the 50-year-old a £2.5m a year deal on a three-year contract. With the Premier League giants out of the picture, Sevilla brought him back to Spain.
Arsenal really needs a strong Sporting Director to make the right choices for the club. The North London side have always promoted youth and Monchi’s arrival in the future could help reignite that culture at the club. Let’s hope for the best.