Edu Gaspar surprised everyone by stepping down as Arsenal’s sporting director in November.
The Brazilian had been at the helm at the Emirates Stadium since 2019. He oversaw the transition from Unai Emery to Mikel Arteta and started the project they are in now.
Edu made his fair share of mistakes at Arsenal, but he deserves a ton of praise for all the good work that he did with transfers when he was at the club.
Now, a few months after his departure, Duncan Castles has revealed the reason why Edu decided to resign from his position at Arsenal.
Edu Gaspar left Arsenal because of Mikel Arteta
Everyone felt that Edu and Arteta shared a great relationship at Arsenal.
The Brazilian was the one who decided to appoint Arteta as Emery’s successor, and the two worked hand-in-hand for several years.
Both of them spoke very highly about each other in interviews as well on several occasions. That is why it was very sad for many to see Edu leave the club.
What is now a big shock, however, is that Castles has revealed that the real reason behind Edu’s departure is none other than Arteta.
The journalist has claimed that Edu did not like how Arteta was growing in power at the club. Stan Kroenke and the board’s decision to give the Arsenal manager a new three-year deal didn’t sit down well with the Brazilian either.
Speaking on The Transfers Podcast, Castles said: “Arteta went into the season in his strongest position of power ever at the club, having been handed a new three-year contract in September.
“That contract, I’m told, was one of the key reasons why Edu resigned his position as sporting director to take up a broader position with Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, the multi-club group, because he wasn’t happy with Arteta’s increasing authority at the club.”
Former Arsenal star could replace Edu
Jason Ayto has taken over Edu’s duties for now, but Arsenal are on the hunt for a permanent replacement.
Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe has been linked with the Arsenal sporting director job, while former Manchester United chief Dan Ashworth is said to be a target for Arsenal as well.
However, recent reports claim that the actual frontrunner to replace Edu at Arsenal is Tomas Rosicky.
The Czech is a fan favourite at the Emirates. He is loved and adored even to this day, and he has been doing a fantastic job at Sparta Prague.
It remains to be seen if the Kroenkes and the Arsenal board will give Rosicky the job ahead of more experienced options like Olabe and Ashworth.
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