Arsenal Insider has learned that while Maurizio Micheli is expected to have an immediate impact on recruitment, the club are more focused on what he can bring over the long term.
On Wednesday, Arsenal Insider reported that Arsenal are closing in on a deal to hire Micheli from SSC Napoli, despite strong interest from Juventus.
Andrea Berta was key to bringing his compatriot to north London, and the appointment is being viewed as a real statement of intent.
Micheli’s reputation in Naples was built off his involvement in two Scudetto-winning squads. Now there’s hope he can help Mikel Arteta’s side do something similar in England.
Speaking ahead of Micheli’s arrival, TBR Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey shed some light on how Arsenal plan to use their new scout going forward.
Report: Maurizio Micheli’s first task at Arsenal could involve a search for a left winger
One of the first things on his plate may be addressing the left wing, where there’s some uncertainty about Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners have again been linked with Rodrygo Goes, with the Brazilian reportedly back on their radar. Even so, any potential move doesn’t appear imminent.
Bailey told Arsenal Insider: “In the short term, Arsenal are very happy with how their squad is looking; they feel the balance between signing and Hale End graduates is at a perfect level.
“The one area they think they might need something is possibly left-wing. But numbers-wise, they are very happy, and we are not expecting too much in January.
“Come the summer, I think we’ll see the same turnaround, a new full-back could be something with Ben White’s future not certain, and the futures of Trossard and Martinelli are going to become a thing.”
Maurizio Micheli tasked with finding long-term replacements for Viktor Gyokeres and David Raya
Meanwhile, another part of his role will involve looking at long-term solutions for positions currently held by Viktor Gyokeres and David Raya.
Both players remain key parts of the squad, but with Gyokeres now 27 and Raya recently turning 30, neither is viewed as a long-term piece for the future.
“Medium term, there will be areas that need assessing. Let’s not forget Gyokeres is no spring chicken, so his successor will be something he works on for sure,” added Bailey.
Raya didn’t have his best showing against Sunderland either. His mistake led to Brian Brobbey’s equaliser and may have raised a few questions about his position moving forward.
Maurizio Micheli’s task is clear – find the next big thing for Arsenal
But one of the key reasons behind bringing Micheli is his ability to unearth future gems, which brought him such great success in Italy.
Micheli signed players like Kalidou Koulibaly, Marek Hamsik, Kim Min-jae and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who all won titles with Napoli.
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Bailey also noted: “In the long term, all options are on the table; this is where Micheli, they hope, comes into his own, discovering the next Kvaratskhelia, for example.”
Arsenal fans have plenty of reason to be excited about this new addition. He could end up being Andrea Berta’s best move of 2025.
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