Arsenal staff left shocked as Gunners axe talent spotter Cagigao

The former head of recruitment played a key role in discovering the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin and Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal’s senior scouting network has been left stunned after several key figures were told they would be losing their jobs on Wednesday morning.

As reported by the Mail and since confirmed by Goal, one of those who will be leaving the club is head of international recruitment, Francis Cagigao – the man credited with discovering the likes of Hector Bellerin and Cesc Fabregas during Arsene Wenger’s reign.

Cagigao was also the driving force behind the deal to bring Gabriel Martinelli to the club last year and personally travelled to Brazil to watch the teenager in action when he was playing for state side Ituano.

When Martinelli scored his stunning solo goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in January, Fabregas immediately took to Twitter to pay tribute to the man who has been leading Arsenal’s scouting network. “Francis Cagigao strikes again and again,” Fabregas said. “Legend.”

Cagigao has been at Arsenal for over two decades and has long been hailed as one of the most important figures within the club’s recruitment network, with his extensive contacts book the envy of many and his talent for unearthing some of the best young players respected across football.



But following Wenger’s departure, Arsenal – under head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu – have increasingly moved towards an agent-led strategy when it comes to transfers.