MIKEL ARTETA has landed himself a new job alongside his role as Arsenal manager.
The Gunners boss will balance trying to compete for trophies with becoming Under Armour’s new Director of Performance.
GettyMikel Arteta is Under Armour’s new Director of Performance[/caption]
Arteta, 43, will join the sportswear brand in a role that will see him “bring elite leadership, tactical insight and a relentless drive for performance to the brand’s global football vision”.
The Spaniard will have a hand in product development, talent identification and leadership to try and grow Under Armour’s presence in football.
While he will also mentor and guide the “next wave of disruptive athletes” signed by Under Armour.
The partnership will also see the former midfielder drive grassroots community impact across London.
Arteta will have full focus on his Arsenal side for now as he gears up for this Sunday’s heavyweight clash against Manchester United to open the Gunners’ Premier League campaign.
Arteta’s side will travel to Old Trafford, where they look to get off to a winning start after a summer of heavy spending.
The manager has been backed to the tune of £208m to bring in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi.
And pressure will be mounting on him to deliver silverware after three consecutive second place finishes in the Premier League and no trophies since his 2020 FA Cup success.
Arsenal’s transfer deals
IN
Viktor Gyökeres – from Sporting Lisbon – £72m
Noni Madueke – from Chelsea – £52m
Martin Zubimendi – from Real Sociedad – £51m
Christian Norgaard – from Brentford – £15m
Cristhian Mosquera – from Valencia – £13m
Kepa Arrizabalaga – from Chelsea – £5m
TOTAL – £208m
OUT
Nuno Taveres – to Lazio – £4.4m
Marquinhos – to Cruzeiro – £2.6m
Jorginho – to Flamengo – free
Kieran Tierney – to Celtic – free
Takehiro Tomiyasu – released
Thomas Partey – released
TOTAL – £7m
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There will be a serious test from the off for Arteta and his side with games against Man Utd, Liverpool, Man City, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest falling in their first six fixtures of the season.
But Arteta is convinced that he has the weapons in his arsenal to hurt any team after his summer business.
Speaking after Arsenal’s 3-0 pre-season victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, he said: “In every position now, we have a different quality.
“A lot of players that can play in various positions as well with a lot of versatility, bringing different kinds of qualities and threats to the team.
“So, we’re going to manage that in the best possible way to maintain everybody with the right cohesion, hunger and the fact that at any moment we can change the puzzle and make it very difficult for the opposition.”
