Edu is leaving Arsenal: Fans bemoan ‘huge loss’ and feel ‘uneasy’ with sporting director set to quit in blow to Mikel Arteta

Arsenal fans fear for the club’s strategic future and see the exit of sporting director Edu as a ‘huge loss’.

Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Monday morning that the highly rated Brazilian is set to leave the Gunners.

Edu, an ex-Arsenal midfielder, has captured key signings such as Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice since first returning to the club in 2019. 

While some are welcoming his departure, many are concerned over what it says about the club’s direction.

‘For the first time in a while I’m genuinely a little uneasy about the state of our club moving forward,’ wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.  

Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Monday morning that he is set to depart the Gunners

‘Edu wasn’t perfect but the relationship him, Arteta and the board had gave us a clear direction. If that was fractured for whatever reason it’s a little bit concerning.’

Another said: ‘Whatever you think of the signings in the summer, Edu is a massive part of why Mikel Arteta has been able to bring Arsenal back to competing. 

‘They will now lose that. It’s bad news and people celebrating him leaving are strange.’

One wrote: ‘Edu has played a huge role in the transformation of our football club in recent seasons. Clearly very good at his job but a very relatable character too who always has time for the fans. 

‘Found him very warm and convincing when I interviewed him once which clearly helps in negotiations and when trying to convince players to sign. This is a huge loss for the club, I wonder why it’s happening.’

Another commented: ‘Edu leaving is a concern. Need clear comms from the club about why, and what the plan is moving forward. Fresh ideas can be a great thing — but this has the smell of something a bit deeper.’

One speculated: ‘Interesting that Edu is leaving, and there’s no real reason for it. I think something has gone on behind the scenes. 

‘Maybe the owners are not happy with the recruitment. Maybe they think it’s time for a change. Get someone new in before spending any more money in January.’ 

The Brazilian has been a close ally of Mikel Arteta as they have led a cultural shift at the club in recent years

Some, however, bucked the trend. ‘Personally very happy about Edu leaving. Thank you for your service. We move,’ said one fan. 

Edu is widely thought of as one of the leading sporting directors in world football for masterminding the change in Arsenal’s signing surge.

He also supported the offloading of troubled stars such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who were considered to be part of a failed past. 

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 is regularly snapped by the club photographer alongside new signings and quoted in official club releases.

He was appointed as technical director in 2019 because he ‘gets the club and what is needed’ and promoted to sporting diector in 2022.

One former team mate said ‘there is a class about the guy’.

Then-director of football Raul Sanileh said: ‘We’re very excited that Edu is joining the team. He has great experience and technical football knowledge and most importantly is a true Arsenal man. He understands the club and what we stand for to our millions of fans around the world.’

Edu, 46, has said in an interview that he is proud to have supported Arteta in ‘changing how people see our club and the vision people have of Arsenal compared to the past.’

A midfielder, the Brazilian was signed by Arsene Wenger and played for the Invincibles with team-mates such as Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Martin Keown.

‘I want to win the best way possible,’ he added. ‘When we win the trophy, it is because we did it the right way. Ask every single Arsenal fan how they feel about that.’ He spoke after Arsenal lost out in the title race against Manchester City.