David Ornstein Notes Link Between Arteta & Sociedad Chief As Arsenal Seek Edu Replacement
By The Editor
on 13th November 2024
David Ornstein reports on Sociedad chief Roberto Olabe…
Arsenal are on the prowl for a sporting director and a potential candidate will soon become available on the market after Real Sociedad announced their chief Roberto Olabe will leave his post in June.
There is a void to fill in N5 after Edu resigned from his role earlier this month and while he’s currently in midst of a six-month gardening leave of absence, his next job is already lined up.
The former Gunners midfielder will reportedly head-up Evangelos Marinakis’s network of clubs, which includes the likes of Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos.
Arsenal vice-chairman Josh Kroenke made it clear in his statement when announcing Edu’s departure that the club will display their ambition in the appointment of his successor.
Olabe certainly fits the bill given his reputation across Europe as a shrewd operator as he guided Real Sociedad to one of the top teams in La Liga.
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The Basque club have become known for developing some of the top talents across the continent and eventually selling them for a premium.
Aleksandr Isak and Mikel Merino are probably the best examples of that in recent seasons – indeed Olabe has done a lot of business with Arsenal in recent years.
🚨 EXCL: Real Sociedad director of football Roberto Olabe to exit role in June 2025. Led #RealSociedad rise + player trading/development (Isak, Odegaard, Merino, Zubimendi etc). No job agreed but viewed among best around so will be in demand @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/eOuYDjMz8E
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 13, 2024
Aside from Merino, Nacho Monreal and Kieran Tierney have also been exchanged between the two clubs, while the Athletic’s David Ornstein reminds us that Olabe signed Arteta in 2004.
Arteta spent a brief, six-month spell at Sociedad in 2004 under Olable’s tenure as manager and one imagines that they’ve maintained a good relationship since.
There are yet to be any credible reports linking us with a move for Olable, but the timing is certainly interesting.