A new era has begun at Arsenal with confirmation that Andrea Berta has become the Gunners’ new sporting director.
Berta has become Edu’s permanent successor in the role after the former Arsenal midfielder left the Emirates Stadium at the end of 2024.
Berta previously worked in the role at Atletico Madrid, where he spent 12 years before stepping down in January.
The 53-year-old has also held the same position at Parma and Genoa in his native Italy.
Arsenal legend David Seaman has now shared what Berta needs to do that “everybody” will be “looking at straight away”.
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David Seaman says Arsenal need to make a ‘marquee signing’ up front
Seaman, speaking on the Seaman Says podcast, says Berta has “got to” make a statement signing up front.
The Highbury icon named Benjamin Sesko as a potential marquee signing that fits the bill, and agreed with Faye Carruthers naming Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres.
“He’s got to make a statement signing,” said Seaman. “And it’s got to be a striker, I think that’s what everybody’s looking at straight away.
“People would be saying like who would you be looking at and I think Sesko and (Victor Osimhen and possibly Gyokeres).
“It’s got to be what I call a marquee signing… one that’s going to go in and do his stuff. Once he gets that settled down and sealed, the Arsenal fans will take note.”
Which players Andrea Berta has already identified as potential Arsenal targets
Berta has already eyed up a few signings for Arsenal this summer.
Berta is a big fan of Matheus Cunha, while Berta is keen on Pablo Barrios from his former club, Atletico Madrid.
And according to Steve Kay, Berta has also recommended the signing of Atletico Madrid B forward Adrian Nino to Mikel Arteta.
“Yeah, he’s one of these players I’ve been told Arsenal are watching,” Kay recently said. He plays for Atletico B.
“He’s in the mould of, people have mentioned, Fernando Torres, Griezmann, Aguero. I spoke to a guy, I actually had to speak to him in Spanish.
“Yeah, he’s highly-rated, Arsenal are interested in him and are keeping an eye on him. Berta brought him in and he was integral to bringing him to the club.
“He’s in the Torres mould. Powerful, quick thinking, silky skills clever. Watch him because we have Berta coming in.”
