Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists chief executive Ivan Gazidis has 'nothing to do' with buying players
- Arsenal have made two major backroom signings over the past week
- Borussia Dortmund chief scout Sven Mislintat appointed as head of recruitment
- He has been joined by Raul Sanllehi in the role of head of football relations
- Wenger says Ivan Gazidis will not work with Mislintat on transfers
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists chief executive Ivan Gazidis has 'nothing to do' with buying players at the club.
The Gunners have made two major backroom signings in the past week with former Borussia Dortmund chief scout Sven Mislintat, appointed as head of recruitment, now joined by Raul Sanllehi in the role of head of football relations.
Sanllehi left his job as director of football at Barcelona on Monday and will take up his new post with Arsenal in February, while Mislintat will begin his role next month.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger speaks to the media during a press conference on Tuesday
Wenger insists that chief executive Ivan Gazidis has 'nothing to do' with buying players
Mislintat worked at Dortmund for a decade and has been credited with helping the Bundesliga club bring through the likes of Shinji Kagawa, Ousmane Dembele and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
His new job at Arsenal will cover both first-team and academy recruitment and Wenger has said he will work closely with Mislintat but that Gazidis will not be involved in the recruitment process.
When Wenger was asked if Mislintat would work with himself and chief executive Gazidis on transfers, the Frenchman replied: 'With me. Ivan has nothing to do with buying players.
'Today we have a structure in England, we know everybody. We have taken somebody who has international experience and that is why we made that decision.'
Sanllehi worked at the Nou Camp for 14 years and comes in as Dick Law, Arsenal's chief transfer fixer, prepares to leave his role.
Raul Sanllehi (right) has been appointed the club's new head of football relations
Borussia Dortmund's Sven Mislintat has also arrived at Arsenal as their chief player recruiter
'Dick Law has retired and has gone back to the States,' Wenger explained ahead of the announcement of Sanllehi's role.
'He is still with us for a while, but we look for somebody as well who has experience in negotiations. Dick is still working with us on cases where we need to do.
'We have Huss (Fahmy), who is top drawer, but has just joined us one year ago, but is doing an excellent job, I rate him highly. There is still a need.'
Wenger, whose side host Huddersfield on Wednesday night looking to keep their place in the Premier League's top four, reckons his longevity as Arsenal boss - he has just surpassed 21 years in charge - has helped him find the best backroom talent in Europe.
'I know them all because I've been in the game before them,' he added. So of course I know everybody in every club in Europe, basically I know them all.'
Wenger says Gazidis will not be involved when he and Mislintat work on transfer targets
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