Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is now set to leave the club.
Edu Gaspar has played a vital role in Arsenal’s recent success. The Brazilian has worked closely with Mikel Arteta to rebuild the first team squad and make the Gunners genuine contenders for the biggest prizes in the game once again.
Edu was appointed to his post in the summer of 2019, just a few months before Arteta’s arrival in the dugout.
Since then the pair have transformed the club, and supported one another. Edu backed Arteta through tough times, and the duo have developed a close working relationship.
Therefore, it will likely come as a huge blow to the Spanish coach that Edu is now set to depart the club.
Edu Gaspar to leave Arsenal
As reported by the Daily Mail, Edu is now set to leave Arsenal, and the 46-year-old himself was the one to call time on his tenure as sporting director.
As the aforementioned report states: “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.”
At this stage, of course, it is unclear as to who might succeed the former Arsenal midfielder in his position at the club.
What is clear, though, is that this represents a major change of direction for Arsenal, and perhaps even casts doubt on the manager’s future. Arsenal were warned about a power struggle with Arteta perhaps being on the horizon, but now a key “ally” of his has been removed, weakening his position at the Emirates Stadium.
What Edu achieved at Arsenal
Edu has had two notable spells at Arsenal, the first coming in his playing days. He was on the books with the North London club between 2001 and 2005.
Edu made 127 appearances for the Gunners, across all competitions, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. He was a key figure in the ‘Invincibles’ side that won the Premier League in 2003/04 without losing a single game in the competition all season.
Since his return as sporting director, he supported Arteta’s revolution, and instigated a new era of spending, as big money was shelled out to sign the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, amongst others.
Edu has also worked closely with Per Mertesacker, head of the Hale End academy system, to help ensure that the future remains bright for Arsenal.
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