Arsenal Head of Analytics Sarah Rudd departing after nine seasons
Rudd is regarded as one of the pioneers of data analytics in football
Written by Simon Austin — August 5, 2021
SARAH RUDD, Arsenal’s Vice President of Software and Analytics, is leaving the club after nine seasons for a “new gig” with “an all-star cast.”
The American is one of the pioneers of analytics in football and has headed up the club’s data science department since 2012. That was when Arsenal bought StatDNA, the US-based company that is Rudd's actual employer.
The firm, which has offices in Chicago and Seattle, uses advanced analytics to help integrate insights from data across multiple departments at Arsenal, including recruitment, performance, medical and coaching. It is effectively Arsenal's data science arm.
Writing on Twitter, Rudd said: “After nine seasons with Arsenal/ StatDNA - it's time for a change! I feel incredibly honoured to have worked for the club I love and work side by side with some of the best in the biz.
“Details of my next gig soon, but can't wait to get started with an all-star cast!”
In January, Arsenal’s Technical Director Edu explained that he wanted StatDNA to play an even bigger role at the club in future.
“I want to work with fewer people,” the Brazilian said, “and I want to work a lot more with StatDNA, which we have internally here at the club. It is very important."
Last month data scientist Arjav Trivedi was also leaving the club. After three years with the Gunners he has become a data engineer with Fifa.
And last week we revealed that Dutchman Kevin Balvers had joined from Swedish side Malmo to become Arsenal's first Football Methodology Analyst, taking care of longer-term data projects at the club.
