Where Arsenal go now after Edu’s emotional exit – and why it’s essential new sporting director gets on with Mikel Arteta
ARSENAL were hit with a shock resignation from their Sporting Director Edu on Monday.
The Brazilian, 46, is set to join up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakas as head of his expanding multi-club empire in what is believed to be a triple-your-money deal.
Ex-Invincibles hero Edu has overseen Arsenal’s long-overdue rise back to the top of English football following his return to the club in July 2019 initially as technical director.
During his five-year stint, he helped hire Mikel Arteta as manager, terminate the contracts of numerous bad eggs from the dressing room, revolutionise their recruitment philosophy and create a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.
But now, they are on the lookout for his replacement.
So, how did this happen, and what are Arsenal’s next steps?
Why did Edu resign?
While extremely happy with his position and his lifestyle in North London at a club he adores, Edu has had one eye on the future and a new role for some time now.
He has spent the last few years as a ‘tracksuit’ Sporting Director – an ever presence at the London Colney training base, building relationships with the players with a more hands-on approach to finding and working with new talent.
There is a sense that Edu now sees himself as more of a ‘suit’ Sporting Director – one who works behind the scenes and oversees a more vast and all-encompassing vision.
Arsenal were aware of other teams taking an interest in Edu and his progress.
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Managing director Richard Garlick sat down with Edu at the end of this summer’s transfer window.
While Edu was open about his future, there was no sense of a real desire to leave.
Arsenal insist there was no falling out between Edu and any board members – or Arteta for that matter – and this was simply an offer too good to turn down, one that Edu feared would not come up again should he pass on it.
So, while his resignation announcement on Monday was a shock, there was no ill-feeling.
Edu said his goodbyes to the players and staff on Tuesday afternoon in the dressing room at London Colney, before the group headed to the airport for their Champions League clash away at Inter Milan.
SunSport understands Edu’s address was an emotional one.
Arsenal player ratings v Inter Milan
TOOTHLESS Arsenal were beaten by a superb Italian job in Milan as they lost 1-0 thanks to a controversial penalty.
Here’s how the Gunners stars were rated by SunSport’s Tony Robertson.
David Raya – 6
Unfortunate with the penalty on an otherwise quiet night. Passing was below par with on three out of nine long passes finding their mark.
Ben White – 7
Dependable as ever at right back. Can’t be blamed for the defeat from a defensive standpoint.
William Saliba – 7
Marshalled defence well and produced some strong passes. Three clearances and six duels won said everything about his performance.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Had a slightly better time in duels than Saliba but was worse on the ball.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Had a good rapport with Martinelli down the left flank. Dependable but undone by the controversial penalty call.
Mikel Merino – 5
Difficult to see what he brings to the midfield at the moment. Clearly Arteta likes his height and strength, but not on the same wavelength as team-mates tonight. Unlucky to give away the penalty.
Thomas Partey – 6
Should have been given more licence to roam forward in the second half. But didn’t look like he had the legs to do that job.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Captain for the night with Odegaard only fit for the bench. Saka was always a threat, but all too often or not chose the wrong option to go inside or out.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Flashes of brilliance and a thorn throughout the clash. Created four chances but team-mates were unable to help him out.
Kai Havertz – 6
Couple of flashes of brilliance, including a beautiful curled effort at goal that forced Sommer to punch clear, but needed to be a stronger force up top. Went off with a bloody head in injury time.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Buzzed around and had threatening moments. But just didn’t get the ball enough in dangerous positions.
So, who will replace him?
Arsenal feel it would be foolish to try and replace Edu like-for-like – having a legend with a real connection to the club as a Sporting Director was by chance, not by design.
But there is a common agreement that the Sporting Director model has worked for them, so why change it? However, Arsenal are said to be open to different options.
Their new hire could be based more on an analytical/data-driven approach, whereas one of Edu’s great strengths was his contacts across the globe that drove recruitment.
And whereas Edu covered all areas from the men’s first team, the women’s first team and the academy, there are talks over whether that brief is streamlined and made more focused.
How Edu made Arsenal great again
By Jack Rosser
EDU GASPAR has been on a mission to ‘Make Arsenal Great Again’ ever since returning to the club he played for 2019.
After a few wobbles early on – signing Nicolas Pepe will never reflect well – the Brazilian has, alongside Mikel Arteta, been crucial in the club’s transformation.
Arteta was brought in as the new manager within months of Edu’s return to North London and the former midfielder stuck by the boss when the pressure was on two years into the job.
Instead of making the knee-jerk decision to change manager again, the former Brazil international, joined forces with Arteta to institute a huge change of culture at The Emirates.
Overpaid toxic influences such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were purged from the dressing room and Arsenal set about adding strong characters.
Edu finally got the club competing in the transfer market again, with Martin Odegaard an outstanding capture for the club. In landing Declan Rice ahead of Manchester City last year Arsenal showed they couple compete for and sign some of Europe’s biggest talents once more.
Arsenal have become one of the most attractive clubs in the Premier League and one of the most efficient in the market.
While there have been big deals for the likes of Rice and Calafiori, there have been smart ones too – picking out value where others have lost hope.
Kai Havertz appeared as a surprising signing after a dreadful season at Chelsea. But after Edu gave the German space and support to rebuild his confidence he has developed into a fine asset for Arteta.
Edu does not only have a tight relationship with Arteta – who many fans will be glad signed a new deal before the sporting director’s departure – but the players too, always ready and waiting to check in, keep them going.
London Colney and The Emirates will feel a very different place for all of them without Edu.
There is a feeling this is a chance for a refresh – a mini reset.
Arsenal are also considering using an outside recruitment agency to help with the process, one which is set to scour the continent for the best person.
One thing is for sure: the new hire MUST have a good working relationship not just with the club leadership group on the board, but Arteta too.
Edu would often act as a sounding board for Arteta to vent his frustrations to throughout a calendar year. Others are stepping in to fill that void currently.
There is no real timeframe on when they will have someone through the door, the process IS still in very early stages, but Arsenal believe they can cope without him in the short term.
While Edu will be unable to begin his new role at Forest for another six months due to his notice period, Arsenal will rely on managing director Garlick, co-chairman Josh Kroenke and executive vice chair Tim Lewis as senior voices to share responsibility.
Jason Ayto – Edu’s no.2 since April 20233 – will also step up temporarily having worked his way up from a scout at the club since 2014.
As a result, Arsenal are not concerned about their approach for the next two transfer windows – January is not seen as a priority, more a reactive window, while next summer’s window plans are proceeding as normal.
Garlick is flying out to the States on Monday to speak with the Kroenke’s about funds and strategy for 2025, something that would have been done with or without Edu in his role.