MIKEL ARTETA has lost another key ally at Arsenal with executive vice-chair Tim Lewis stepping down in a major boardroom shake-up.
Lewis ends a five-year spell at the Gunners, where he acted as a key middle-man between boss Arteta and owners Stan and Josh Kroenke.
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Most recently, he played a pivotal role in hiring new sporting director Andrea Berta earlier this year after Edu’s shock departure last November for Nottingham Forest.
Alongside Berta and Arteta, he also made up the club’s recruitment trio for one of the most successful and fruitful transfer windows in their history, spending around £250m on eight different players.
Arteta has now lost three major figures of support above him in quick succession with Lewis, Edu and also assistant sporting director Jason Ayto – now at Brighton – moving on.
The club have framed this as a positive step forward, bringing the Kroenke family closer to the actual decision-making process on and off the pitch, and forming a stronger and more hands-on relationship with Arteta.
To do so, they have brought in two non-executive directors from Kroenke Sports and Entertainment [KSE] in Kelly Blaha and Otto Maly, alongside long-time KSE advisor, Dave Steiner.
Managing director Richard Garlick is now the CEO, while film producer and director, Ben Winston, a season ticket holder at the club for over 30 years, will also join the Board as a Non-Executive Director.
Arsenal claim Winston will “bring diverse experience and knowledge from across finance, sport, retail, property development, media and entertainment to support the club moving forward”.
A statement from co-owner Josh Kroenke continued: “At this moment, we would like to thank Tim for his continued dedication and commitment to Arsenal in a period of transformational change for the club.
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“He has played a pivotal role and ensured we are in a great position to continue to deliver our strategy in our ambition to win major trophies.
“In keeping with our desire to always move forward, we will strengthen our Board with some exciting additions who will bring vast experience to the club across a wide range of professions.
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“The group know and love Arsenal, and will bring a different skill-set and expertise while injecting fresh thinking and energy to support us all to achieve our ambitions.”
Lewis was outspoken on numerous sensitive topics during his time at Arsenal, including Financial Fair Play rules, while he was also captured dramatically storming out of the Etihad executive box during Arsenal’s controversial 2-2 draw with Manchester City last season.
