Edu bombshell at Arsenal: Arteta to lose sporting director and key ally

Arsenal sporting director Edu, who has been a key figure behind the rebuild of the Emirates club, is poise to leave.

The Daily Mail reports that Edu, who worked brilliantly in tandem with manager Mikel Arteta and has been the mastermind behind some of the best transfer work the Gunners have done in recent years, such as the deals to sign Martin Odegaard and William Saliba, will leave the club.

It is unclear when the Brazilian will leave his post, yet the news comes as a body blow just weeks before the January transfer window, when Arsenal may look to strengthen their ranks in order to boost their Premier League title hopes.

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Exactly why Edu plans to leave the Emirates Stadium is not yet apparent.

The Mail explains: “Talks have been ongoing with the club’s hierarchy and while the reasons are currently unclear, it is his decision to go. More details are expected to emerge in the next 24 hours.

“It is thought there may have been a reshuffle in responsibilities among the Arsenal hierarchy in key positions but it is ‘too simplistic’ to suggest there has been a power struggle, one source told Mail Sport.”

Edu key to Arsenal’s smart transfer policy

While Arteta has dealt with Arsenal’s on-field rise, much of the groundwork for the Spaniard has been conducted by Edu, who played for the club more than 200 times during his stint as a player between 2001-05.

The sporting director has worked shrewdly, not only landing impressive signings but knowing when to back off when Arsenal faced being ripped off by clubs trying to extort them.

Backing out of the Mykhailo Mudryk deal in January 2022 to allow the Shakhtar Donetsk winger to sign for Chelsea was a particular masterstroke, as it made Arsenal look a little silly at the time but has paid off amply given the Ukraine star’s struggles in the Premier League.

Edu also refused to pay over the odds for the likes of Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko this summer, deeming the €100 million valuations of their respective clubs to be too great.

Arsenal have not officially announced his departure, but it will be a big blow to the club, and Arteta in particular, when it comes.