Sven Mislintat Says Arsenal Expect to Sign 'A Dembele in Each Transfer Window'

Sven Mislintat has told of the pressures awaiting him after becoming Arsenal's new head of recruitment and joked the club expect him to sign a player of Ousmane Dembele's quality "in each transfer window."

Dembele was one of numerous players Mislintat helped recruit at former club Borussia Dortmund, and he told German newspaper Kicker of the inevitable burden that comes with his reputation (h/t The Independent).

He said: "Going by the press in England and Germany, they expect me to sign a Dembele in each transfer window. I'm being put on an incredibly high pedestal."

ESPN FC's Liam Twomey noted Mislintat was joined by former Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehi at the Emirates Stadium on November 28:

Dembele moved to the Westfalenstadion from Rennes in July 2016 before joining Barcelona for a huge profit one year later—the kind of business many at Arsenal hope he can reproduce in north London.

The 45-year-old has a keen eye for spotting talent, either young prospects or those more ready to have an instant impact, as evidenced by his signing of stars such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Mislintat established himself as one of Europe's most astute transfer gurus at Dortmund, and commentator Derek Rae suggested the scout knows quality when he sees it:

Dembele and Aubameyang were already known quantities in France before moving to Dortmund, but Mislintat spotted players who would enhance their game in Germany.

However, broadcaster Jan Aage Fjortoft attested to the fact he still may not entirely run the rule over Arsenal's transfer plans:

The spiralling costs of the transfer market mean it's more important than ever to find value where possible, and Arsenal will be looking to do just that with Mislintat leading their search.