Roberto Olabe has earned Arsenal appointment after latest proposal following major project win

On Thursday evening, news broke in Spain that Arsenal were very interested in acquiring the services of Real Sociedad’s soon-to-be former director Roberto Olabe. Broken by Noticias de Gipuzka, Mikel Recalde reported that Olabe is very happy with a proposal made by the Gunners.

Nothing has yet been decided and there are other potential candidates that the club may yet speak to and also make proposals to. Thiago Scuro, Simon Rolfes and Tomas Rosicky have all been named as potential options for the club.

Speaking about his decision to leave La Real at the end of the season, Olabe said: “I understood that it was important to continue working this season for and with the project. The timing of things right now is that I am excited and committed to finishing this season, for good things to continue happening in this club, for us to win something in June, which has been a while and I would like to win again... We feel that we can continue to aspire.”

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Yet he also provided a glimpse of what could be expected to come, adding: “Afterwards I need to listen to other conversations, from other areas, learn about other projects, observe other things to possibly reconnect. I don't know what it will be, I don't have anything, I don't have a date for anything.

“The dates for everything are the ones we have discussed. There has been nothing external that has influenced that timing."

So why would Arsenal be interested in the work of Olabe? The 57-year-old is a former manager who signed Mikel Arteta at the Basque side but his work in the game as a director is what certainly attracts the Gunners more.

Ultimately, while a sporting director will oversee huge areas of the club, in essence the key part is about strategy. Implementing ideas through squad-building and vision that will see a club progress, succeed and ultimately, win trophies.

Olabe managed that with Real Sociedad, helping to build a side which would end a trophy drought of more than 30 years. He would do it by building a competitive squad which also became a regular feature in the Champions League.

A combination of youth and vast experience helped to take the Spanish club to such goals. Fans will be most intrigued by the business he conducted having taken over the role of director of football in March of 2018.

One of his first deals ended up being one of his last, the signature of Mikel Merino from Newcastle for a small fee that would more than treble when he would be sold to Arsenal six years later. He also identified one of the world’s most-renowned left-backs, Theo Hernandez as an astute loan move which would kickstart the Frenchman’s ascent to the elite level.

The following year he would bring in another player who would go on to become one of Europe’s hottest prospects, Alexander Isak. Another deal which would bring in money several multiples higher than the £10million-plus La Real paid Borussia Dortmund for the Swede.

Isak would spearhead a team which would end the aforementioned trophy drought, beating Basque rivals Athletic Club in the final having knocked out Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. He was joined by a fellow 2019 summer additional Portu, on his right with the well-appreciated Mikel Oyarzabal on the left.

Oyarzabal has been a player coveted by many big clubs including Manchester City and Barcelona. Olabe helped renew his deal with the club last year.

“I see myself playing for La Real for many years, I only think of La Real…I feel comfortable, loved and wanted,” Oyarzabal told Cadena Cope in 2023. Olabe would certainly have some big players like William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes to negotiate new contracts with who expire in 2027.

Also in that cup-winning side was David Silva. Lazio were reportedly furious that Silva had decided to join Sociedad instead when it looked as though a deal was done.

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare said: "I've heard about David Silva's transfer to Real Sociedad. I have huge respect for the player but not for the man."

Olabe’s ability to convince a player of such calibre would be yet another reason for Arsenal to be keen on his abilities. Yet one of Edu Gaspar’s failings was that it took so long before major sales could be achieved.

In his last 18 months, Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Granit Xhaka and Folarin Balogun brought in more than £140million including add-ons, but there were others whose transfer fees failed to match their quality. Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Dinos Mavropanos, Matteo Guendouzi and Rob Holding among others.

Plus the amount of players who either left for free or saw their contracts mutually terminated, costing the club money. There were of course reasons for this, but with Arsenal in a new era, a director needs a good record when it comes to maximising value.

According to Transfermarkt, since the summer of 2018, La Real has brought in approximately €240million (£200million). This might on the surface seem comparably smaller and it is but La Real are working with players and budgets in a different financial context to the Gunners.

Despite that, as mentioned, huge fees have been paid for the likes of Isak. Merino and Robin le Normand brought in more than £60million last summer alone.

For Olabe, it has been about player retention and keeping Real Sociedad competitive while being astute in the signings he has made. They managed to poach Luka Susic from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer for a small fee.

Sergio Gomez arrived from Manchester City, again for less than £10million. Nayef Aguerd was signed on loan from West Ham while Kiernan Tierney of course joined the ranks last season on a temporary deal in something of a coup.

Olabe’s record speaks for itself and it should be little surprise why Arsenal are keen on him. The question is now, unlike so many of his players at La Real, will the Gunners be able to convince him to switch San Sebastian for the Premier League?