Arsene Wenger’s power wanes at Arsenal as Sven Mislintat makes his mark

Rumours of Arsenal’s approaches for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were widely met by groans from Arsenal's devout fans this week. They’ve heard it all before: big-name signings due to arrive, pen hovering above the dotted line – then, all of a sudden, they’ve joined a rival, or had a change of heart.

So, why should it be any different this time?

The answer: Sven Mislintat.

The former-Dortmund man moved to the Emirates in November amid great expectation. ‘Diamond Eyes’ had discovered a myriad of stars for Der BVB and was intrinsically linked to their recent successes. Modern-day heroes Shinji Kagawa, Robert Lewandowski and Aubameyang were all recruited under the advice of the man from Kamen.

Sven Mislintat seems to have hit the ground running at Arsenal

Mislintat and his reputation

Mislintat has quite a reputation for identifying extremely talented youth signings – an area in which Wenger himself excelled when he first came to British shores in 1996.

Indeed, the first bit of business done in north London this month saw 18-year-old Konstantinos Mavropanos arrived from Greece for £1.8 million; a move which has the hallmarks of a Mislintat signing given the German’s previous penchant for signing young Greek talent.

By putting a new man at the head of recruitment, Arsenal have showed intent to change tact in the transfer market. Mislintat may be known as a talent-spotter – but he was also in charge when Kagawa, Nuri Sahin and Mario Gotze all made their return to Dortmund after disappointing spells away from Germany.

This is a man who is not afraid to welcome back players with obvious talent; not afraid to put his faith in a ‘flop’ from another club.

The bigger picture in mind?

Is Mislintat plotting to build a team around Mkhitar

If Mkhitaryan does join, there will be those who argue that Arsenal has swapped their best player for a rival’s reserve. But what if Mislintat has a bigger picture? What if he is already working on a plan to build a team that compliments Mkhitaryan’s abilities so that we see his undoubted quality week in, week out?

His appointment saw the departure of a trusted Wenger lieutenant in Steve Crowley, and it speaks of a culture shift at the north London club.

Where once Wenger operated autonomously, directing recruitment and dictating transfer fees, Mislintat has now been given power.

It means that the hierarchy at Arsenal seem to have realised that the Wenger era won’t – or shouldn’t – go on indefinitely, and finally seem to be preparing for life after the French tactician.