Arsenal are closing in on ‘widely respected’ sporting director to replace Edu Gaspar

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Since Edu Gaspar left Arsenal at the beginning of November, rumours have circulated around the club in regards to who will take his spot.

Edu’s sudden departure shocked a lot of staff at Arsenal, a response that was shared among the club’s supporters.

Now, Edu is joining Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club project – with the Nottingham Forest owner taking a slight swipe at Arsenal in the process.

In terms of who will arrive at the Emirates Stadium to fill Edu’s boots, names like Roberto Olabe, Tomas Rosicky and even now Dan Ashworth have been mentioned.

Ashworth recently left his post at Manchester United in a ‘mutual’ decision, meaning he’s ready for a new role.

Jason Ayto is firmly in the running to replace Edu Gaspar at Arsenal

That being said, Arsenal Insider understands that Jason Ayto is firmly in the running to replace Edu, working with Richard Garlick and Tim Lewis.

In a similar response to Man United’s situation post-Ashworth, Arsenal believe that they have the right people in house in order to not bring anyone else in.

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Ashworth has been assessed as part of the process, but he is not seen as one of the favourites at this stage.

In terms of Ayto, he was promoted to assistant sporting director last year, acting as Edu’s number two.

The 39-year-old is well regarded for his ability to use statistics to find potential transfer targets for Arsenal.

Ayto is wide-respected in the game, ‘way beyond what many fans would assume’, according to sources.

Arsenal know what they have in him and Ayto stepping up is very much in their thinking at the club.

Tim Lewis and Richard Garlick ready to assist Jason Ayto at the Emirates

In terms of the team potentially working around Ayto, Arsenal already have Garlick, who is vastly experienced in football.

Alongside Tim Lewis and Josh Kroenke, there’s a more than adequate system in place for success.

That said, Arsenal are doing their due diligence on other opinions – they’re making sure they get this decision right and that means considering all possible alternatives.

Of course, it is thought that the Gunners have begun looking at potential transfer targets moving forward.

Arsenal are in contact to sign Rafael Leao according to reports, perhaps suggesting that Ayto is already trying to prove his worth, should he be behind any moves.

An interesting time for the club, and most importantly for fans, the club seems unanimously confident that they can operate in January as normal, even without Edu.