Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are making a ‘really important’ backroom appointment

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking forward to Richard Garlick joining the Gunners as their new director of football operations.

Garlick is currently director of football at the Premier League but will take up his new role at the Emirates Stadium in the coming months.

The qualified solicitor, who specialises in sports law, was formerly West Brom’s director of football before he moved to the Premier League in 2018.

Arsenal announced the appointment back in January, publishing a statement which read: “Richard Garlick is joining Arsenal as director of football operations.

“Richard, who is currently director of football at the Premier League and was previously director of football administration at West Bromwich Albion, will join the club in the coming months.

“He will be a member of the Arsenal executive team and will be working closely with technical director Edu, manager Mikel Arteta and academy manager Per Mertesacker.

“His responsibilities will include football operations in the first team and academy, all player contract management and relationships with football’s governing bodies.”

He is yet to join Arsenal, but speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said he’s excited for him to come on board and believes he’ll be really important for the club.

“We’re excited to have him on board soon,” said the Spaniard.

“We were looking for someone with the right experience, with knowledge of the league and with the contacts to make us better in the team. His expertise is going to be really important.”

Arsenal are currently 10th in the Premier League table and will take on Newcastle away tomorrow, before welcoming Villarreal to the Emirates next week for their crunch Europa League semi-final second leg.