Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar is preparing to part ways with the Gunners after five years at Colney.
The Brazilian returned to North London as the club’s technical director in 2019 however, was promoted to sporting director in 2022.
Mikel Arteta and Edu worked closely to get Arsenal back to being challengers for the Premier League title, bringing the culture back to the Emirates after a period that lacked structure.
It’s a great surprise to learn that the former midfielder will part ways with the North Londoners, with the club yet to comment on his seemingly imminent departure.
- READ MORE: How Edu really felt at Arsenal during final summer transfer window as exit reason made clear
Mikel Arteta and Edu disagreed on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer decision
The news came as a shock due to the close-knit relationship between Edu, Arteta and the squad, something that very few clubs have in the Premier League.
Having two former players overseeing the project at the Emirates was refreshing and most importantly, was effective, with the hope now being that a similar result can be achieved without Edu.
It’s not been all roses for the pair at Arsenal, however, as the Daily Mail’s Ian Ladyman explained on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast.
Ladyman recited a conversation with an agent that detailed the feeling between Edu and Arteta at the point of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s exit.
“I remember an agent said to me at the time that Edu was saying, ‘I think this is a risk, I think it’s too early, we haven’t got a replacement but the bottom line is that it’s Mikel’s choice, it’s his decision and I absolutely have to back him’.
“I think it’s that type of unity that Arsenal are saying goodbye to when Edu walks out the door. I’m not saying it can’t be replaced, but that’s the problem.”
Can Arsenal replace Edu’s loyalty?
One of the boldest calls in Arteta and Edu’s partnership was the ousting of former club captain Aubameyang following a flurry of disruption in the squad.
Bidding farewell to the Gabon international’s huge personality was essential for Arsenal to kick on to where they are now however, at the time, the decision was not so simple.
- READ MORE: Edu Gaspar may have already found his next job after shock decision to turn his back on Arsenal
Edu rightfully had concerns over Arsenal’s ability to replace the striker, who left having contributed to 113 goals in 163 appearances.
The sporting director knew that at that moment, he had to support Arteta’s plan to offload Aubameyang, something that proved to be the right call, and something that portrayed the loyalty between the pair.
Replacing someone of such great loyalty to both Arteta and Arsenal as a club will be near impossible, but is a challenge that the Gunners must look to overcome promptly.
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