Arsenal’s new head of football Raul Sanllehi has vowed to do everything possible to try and maintain the club’s strong values after Ivan Gazidis decided to switch to AC Milan in Italy.
Gazidis ended his 10-year long association with the Gunners when he decided to seek a new adventure with AC Milan in Serie A and Sanllehi was named alongside Vinai Venkatesham as the candidates to lead the club from now.
Sanllehi, who joined Arsenal in February as head of football relations from Barcelona, has been named as the head of football at the club alongside Venkatesham, who is now the managing director at the Emirates.
The former Barcelona director of football has expressed his delight with landing the new role at Arsenal and vowed to do everything that can help maintain the club’s values and philosophies.
He also thanked Gazidis for bringing him to the club and admitted that he is excited to have landed a new opportunity with a club like Arsenal.
“Although I joined Arsenal just months ago, I've felt embraced by this great club and part of its family from the first day”, Sanllehi told the club’s official website.
“I will do everything possible to maintain our strong values which will be as fundamental to our future as they have been in our past.
“Vinai and I will need everyone's help, to do everything right and secure the success everyone connected to Arsenal wants.
“I sincerely thank Arsenal’s board for their trust in us and thank Ivan for bringing me to this great club, and for consistently supporting me every day, in every way.
“It's with overwhelming pride and utmost excitement that I face this new opportunity”, he added.
Gazidis, who termed the decision to leave Arsenal the “hardest of my life”, played an integral role in the appointment of Unai Emery in the summer.
