Thiago Scuro: The attack-minded Brazilian who can elevate Arsenal to another level

Robin Bairner

• 14 Nov 2024 07:00 CST
• 4 min read

Thiago Scuro is Arsenal’s priority to replace Edu as sporting director at the Emirates Stadium, according to numerous reports, and though a figure of relatively low profile, he has cut an impressive figure in his current role at Monaco.

Scuro is currently CEO at the Ligue 1 club, where he replaced Paul Mitchell – a character with a bigger reputation but a far patchier record. Mitchell currently finds himself at Newcastle, while Monaco have kicked on under the direction of the 43-year-old, who was appointed director of football in 2023 before earning a promotion a matter of months later.

There is a lot Arsenal fans should like about Scuro, not least because he has an attack-minded attitude that dovetails with Monaco boss Adi Hutter and which would appear to be compatible with Mikel Arteta’s goals at the Emirates Stadium.

“The idea that we want to develop is to play aggressive football, a style of football resolutely focused on the offensive side of things,” he said when reflecting on Monaco’s 2023/24 campaign, which secured them a return to the Champions League.

“This way of playing creates many chances, and we have very good players ready to exploit them to score.

“And at the back we are working hard to defend as a team, in the best possible way. Everyone is playing together, whether in attack or defence. It gives us the consistency to attack well this season.”

The goal to reach the group stage of the Champions League was achieved, and it even seems surpassed, with Monaco apparently heading into the knockout rounds after a run that has seen them defeat Barcelona.

Youth focus

Their achievements have been all the more impressive given that there is a strong influence from the youth team, which should surely excite Arsenal fans given talents like Ethan Nwaneri are coming through the academy at Hale End.

“We want to maintain a good mix between experience and youth, because this corresponds to the history of the club and this is how we want to move forward. Bringing along young talents is part of AS Monaco’s DNA, but above all, we must remain efficient on the pitch,” Scuro said of this policy.

So he gets big plus marks for an attack-minded philosophy and a willingness to trust youth, but how about his signings?

Thiago Scuro's strong transfer record

Monaco’s transfers since Scuro arrived at the club have almost wholly been successful.

Ironically, the one deal that there is still a question mark over was the move to sign Folarin Balogun from Arsenal for €30 million. The American hasn’t quite worked out yet and has missed much of this season due to injury.

Scuro, though, has helped the club sign youngsters such as George Ilenikhena, Christian Mawissa and Lamine Camara, who, while not exactly unknown, are at least showing strong signs of living up to their transfer fees, which were all in the €15-20m bracket.

His time at Monaco, then, suggests that he has the capacity to step up at Arsenal and, alongside the ongoing guidance of Arteta, continue to lead the club to yet higher heights in the manner the fans desire.