Former Arsenal scout Yousuf Sajjad has opened up on his relationship with the head of the Gunners' academy and former captain Per Mertesacker.
Sajjad arrived in north London back in August 2019 as the club's lead recruitment analyst before a major overhaul overseen by technical director Edu saw him become the head of emerging talent. During his time at Arsenal, he worked closely with Mertesacker, who he admitted was daunting at first.
Speaking to The Athletic, Sajjad said: “I hadn’t been brought in by Per, so I just asked for an hour of his time to explain my background, what I’d achieved, and what I wanted to do at the club. It was nerve-racking because I was almost presenting ‘The Arsenal Philosophy’ to someone who’s captained the club — it was daunting!
READ MORE: Mark Noble delivers honest verdict on Declan Rice West Ham exit amid Arsenal transfer links
'But his reaction was really positive. Getting good feedback from someone like that was really special.” He continued: “The biggest thing about Per is he brings everyone together.
“That togetherness is prevalent throughout the whole academy. And it’s infectious.”
Sajjad and Mertesacker were tasked with recruiting a left-back to the academy before they brought in talented youngster Lino Sousa from West Brom. “We were inundated with reports,” Sajjad said when discussing the process.
“By the end of the season, we were almost like, ‘We don’t want to look at another left-back’. But when we saw Lino Sousa, he immediately stood out.”
Sajjad has since left the north Londoners, becoming one of the youngster technical directors in football at the age of 30 - with Dutch side Den Bosch.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Jesus' likely return game for Arsenal revealed with Mikel Arteta to get dream scenario
Arsene Wenger can hand Mikel Arteta solution to right-back variety with Arsenal throwback pick
Mikel Arteta may have changed his mind on £34m signing Fabio Vieira after key Arsenal decisions
Arsenal signing in line to replace Gabriel Martinelli as injured star could return vs Brentford
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
