Right now, it's difficult for Arsenal fans to get too excited about additions to the non-playing staff. They're watching their rivals bring in expensive new signings, wondering when Arsene Wenger will join the spending. So far he has recruited just Sead Kolasinac, acquiring the Bosnian on a free transfer.
However, new personnel are joining the club away from the field -- fitness guru Darren Burgess and legal expert Huss Fahmy have both been snapped up. It might not be quite as exciting as a shiny new striker, but these are important additions -- and hopefully reflect the start of a necessary shake-up behind the scenes.
Back in April, Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis told a group of Arsenal fans that the club's poor performance in the Premier League and Champions League would act as a "catalyst for change." Arsenal supporters demanding a different approach must have wondered if Gazidis would prove to be as good as his word when Wenger was awarded a new two-year contract just a few weeks ago. However, it seems those comments are now starting to bear fruit.
The behind-the-scenes appointments demonstrate a recognition that Arsenal can improve in all areas of their football operations. Burgess' move to London is particularly noteworthy, as he arrives with an outstanding reputation in the world of sports science. Although his most recent job has been with Aussie Rules side Port Adelaide, Burgess has Premier League experience, having worked under Brendan Rodgers with Liverpool.
Having appointed Shad Forsythe as head of athletic performance enhancement in 2014, Arsenal have significantly improved what was once a horrendous injury record. Adding Burgess to the mix should help them ensure not only that players remain fit, but that they are at the peak of their powers as often as possible. There is an understandable obsession with avoiding injury at Arsenal, but in reality conditioning is about so much more than that.
Fahmy will not be involved on the training ground, but will instead be helping the club with legal matters, particularly when it comes to player contracts. The former Team Sky man will presumably work closer with Arsenal's long-standing transfer chief, Dick Law -- himself a qualified lawyer.
However, this is not yet proof of Gazidis' catalytic concept. Just as they need more on-field recruits to complement Kolasinac, Arsenal must add more off-field talent too. To begin with, they have yet to recruit a Head of Academy to replace departed Dutchman Andries Jonker. However, it's at executive level that additions are most badly needed.
Wenger appears to have resisted the calls for a Director of Football to be installed above him. His executive power within the club remains largely unchecked, with the official statement from Port Adelaide on Burgess' move to Arsenal making clear that the Australian is a Wenger appointment. The fact that Law is staying on to oversee the club's summer transfer activity is also an indicator that Wenger is still calling the shots.
That's fine -- but Arsenal need to begin making plans for his inevitable departure. The biggest mistake of the last three years was failing to build any kind of contingency plan beyond giving Wenger a new deal. The club have stressed this might not be his final contract, but it can't be far from it.
Arsenal need to populate their board with people who understand the culture of football -- specifically, the culture of Arsenal. They need people with the combination of passion and expertise to help drive the club through a difficult period of transition. They need people who can outlast Wenger, helping to bridge the gap and ensure the club's values remain intact. Gazidis' promised change has not yet arrived -- this is only just beginning.