Berta's Arsenal Masterclass: Six Moves That Delivered the Premier League

Andrea Berta has wasted no time establishing himself as a capable successor to Edu Gaspar at Arsenal, proving instrumental in bringing silverware back to the Emirates during his opening campaign in charge.

Working hand-in-glove with Mikel Arteta, the Italian has made a series of shrewd moves that have collectively transformed the club's fortunes. Here's how his best half-dozen decisions stack up.

6. Cristhian Mosquera's arrival from Valencia

At just 21, the centre-back represented excellent value at £13million—particularly with his Valencia contract heading towards expiration in 2026. What's truly impressive is that Berta managed to convince the talented defender to join despite Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba already commanding the backline. Mosquera's versatility at right-back has proven equally valuable, with the youngster set to feature in the Champions League final. The lad's got a big future ahead.

5. The Ebere Eze coup

When Kai Havertz picked up an injury, Arsenal seized the moment to hijack a deal Tottenham had been pursuing. Eze, returning to the club that released him as a teenager, has been nothing short of sensational—including a hat-trick at the Emirates in a demolition of Spurs. The speed and ruthlessness with which Berta got this one over the line, announcing the signing before a Leeds fixture just days after the pursuit began, showed exactly the kind of decisive action Arsenal fans had been craving. A far cry from the old ways.

4. The striker selection process

Rather than panic-buying, Berta methodically weighed up Viktor Gyokeres against Benjamin Sesko, ultimately backing the Swedish forward's proven pedigree over the younger Leipzig prospect—who instead ended up at Manchester United. While Gyokeres' 14 league goals in 35 appearances might seem modest, his overall impact and presence have been crucial. The patience shown in refusing to rush, even when pre-season loomed, proved vindicated. An out-and-out number nine was what the fanbase demanded after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's 2022 exit, and Berta delivered.

3. Securing Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly's futures

Convincing two of England's brightest young talents to commit long-term on substantial wages speaks volumes about Berta's persuasiveness. Getting Nwaneri to stay despite Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka occupying prime positions required genuine assurances about his pathway—no small feat following a loan spell at Marseille. Lewis-Skelly, meanwhile, has reinvigorated his career after England involvement under Thomas Tuchel, and could even start the Champions League final ahead of big-money summer addition Martin Zubimendi. Both are destined for greatness.

2. Locking down Bukayo Saka

In February, Arsenal's talisman penned fresh terms through 2030, becoming the club's highest earner at around £300,000 weekly. For a player who's delivered consistently for six years, it was money well spent. Saka's loyalty is beyond question, and now, finally, he has the Premier League medal his talent always deserved.

1. Keeping William Saliba at the club

This was the statement signing—or rather, the statement keeping. Real Madrid's persistent interest in the French centre-back created genuine anxiety, but Berta held firm and convinced Saliba to remain despite Arsenal's trophy drought under Arteta. Now a Premier League champion alongside his defensive partner Gabriel, Saliba has the chance to face PSG in the Champions League final on May 30 and become a true Gunners legend. Keeping one of Europe's elite defenders when genuine alternatives existed elsewhere? That's the moment Berta truly proved his worth.