Mikel Arteta is not worried by the fact that Arsenal don’t have a sporting director as he doesn’t expect the club to be “super busy” in the January transfer window.
Edu Gaspar resigned from the role in November to take up a new post working for Evangelos Marinakis across the Greek businessman’s three clubs; Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave.
Jason Ayto, formerly the Brazilian’s right-hand man, has taken up the job on an interim basis while the Gunners search for a permanent successor.
Arteta has suggested that Arsenal could fill the vacancy internally, although Dan Ashworth has been linked with a move to north London following his shock exit from Manchester United last week.
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Speaking ahead of Saturday’s goalless draw with Everton in the Premier League, the Basque native dismissed the notion that not having a permanent sporting director in place could pose a problem for the club’s transfer dealings.
“We have one,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “Jason Ayto is our interim sporting director. He has got the full capacity and support of the football club right now. He is doing really well with his team. The process is open, as you know. And the club, with the support of all of us, will decide who is the best person to move us forward.
“I never expect January to be super busy, but we have to wait and see where we are. There might be some opportunities, too. Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see.”
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Arteta, though, says he would prefer for the role to be filled by Arsenal before the end of the season.
“Yes, but when we are convinced that we have the right person who can work the right team who are doing a great job at the moment,” he said.
“(It needs to be) someone who is going to take us to the next level. We might have him internally. Timing wise it’s hard to understand. I’m not running the process so it’s more for the club to respond.”
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