Arsenal transfer guru Raul Sanllehi and hierarchy slammed by former star Gilles Grimandi

Arsenal‘s head of football Raul Sanllehi and his colleagues have been slammed for his poor decisions in the transfer market by former Gunners man Gilles Grimandi.

Mikel Arteta’s side suffered further misery on Saturday after they conceded a later goal at Brighton which condemned them to their second defeat since the restart of the Premier League.

The Gunners had already been well beaten by Manchester City in their first game back on Wednesday but defeat to the relegation-threatened Brighton signalled the uphill battle Arteta is facing.

Arsenal’s head of football Raul Sanllehi has been criticised for his decisions on transfers

Gilles Grimandi said there have been some debateable signings under Sanllehi’s stewardship

And ex-Arsenal player Grimandi is laying the blame at the door of the club executive Sanllehi and the rest of the club’s hierarchy for their poor transfer decisions.

The 49-year-old was one of former manager Arsene Wenger’s closest confidants and the club’s chief scout from 2009-2019 after playing for the club between 1997 and 2002.

‘People didn’t realise the influence and the choices that Arsene made, choices which were often wise,’ he told French TV station Canal+.

Grimandi played for the Gunners from 1997 to 2002 and also served as chief scout for 13 years

‘We’re not able to read the project that’s in the hands of the directors and Sanllehi right now.

‘There have been some debatable signings and it’s not possible to totally see from the outside what they want to do.

‘There are some positive points. I believe in Mikel Arteta, he’s a person with a future.

‘He’s a competent lad and someone who’s gained a certain amount of experience alongside Pep Guardiola.

‘There is a lot of quality among the young players, but the directors have to take their responsibility and make much wiser choices.’  

Grimandi pointed specifically to the signing of William Saliba who arrived at the club for £27million in 2019 but has remained on loan at Saint-Etienne. 

The 49-year-old believes it was a mistake to keep William Saliba out on loan at Saint-Etienne

‘For me that’s a mistake because these are players who could have gained experience this season.

‘And then you see they have to buy another player Pablo Mari at Christmas. There’s a lot of incoherence in the choices.

‘I think there is competence on the technical side and with the young players. Now those who are directing them have to take their responsibilities and make wiser choices.

‘We know the financial consequences of not qualifying for the Champions League and the effect it has of being an attractive club.’

Mikel Arteta is facing a tough job following back-to-back defeat since football’s return