Mikel Arteta has lost the ‘right balance’ as ‘super important’ Edu exits Arsenal amid new job links

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Arsenal are braced for change as it was announced that Edu Gaspar is expected to leave the club.

The Brazilian returned to North London in 2019, with his position being upgraded to sporting director over the years.

Now, Edu is set to leave Arsenal, as reports have speculated that the former midfielder is preparing to move on. 

It’s a surprise considering how closely Edu works with Mikel Arteta, giving the manager a significant job to tend to when choosing his colleague’s successor. 

• READ MORE: Who is Edu Gaspar? Everything you need to know about the ex-Arsenal player turned director

Mikel Arteta’s previous comments about Edu

Edu and Arteta are responsible for Arsenal restoring their status as challengers for the Premier League title. 

The duo, who both represented the Gunners as players, brought the club’s culture back, writing the script for Arsenal’s recent resurgence.

In 2022, Arteta made it clear just how much he values working with Edu, expressing his desire for the Brazilian to remain at the club ‘for a long time’.

• READ MORE: Five of the best and worst Edu signings at Arsenal as sporting director prepares exit

“I just hope he stays here for a long time because I think it’s going to be a really positive thing for the club,” Arteta said.

“I work with him really well, I think he’s a super important figure at the club who represents all the values and ideas that we want, to do everything in the right way, and hopefully that will be the case.”

While noting the similarities that he shares with Edu, Arteta drew attention to the importance of disagreeing at times, praising the ‘balance’ that those above the boss have built. 

• READ MORE: Three things Edu Gaspar’s replacement must do immediately at Arsenal following huge exit

“At the same time you have to be challenged by each other because sometimes coaches we have all the ideas and we want something right now that is not the best thing for the club and we have the right balance.”

Arteta’s previous comments represent those of a man who had found his ideal working partner in Edu, making the breaking news of his departure rather puzzling.

It could be that the news comes as just as much of a shock to the manager himself, who didn’t want to work without Edu, based on his 2022 assessment.

Edu Gaspar in talks ahead of Arsenal departure

So what is next for Edu?

The sporting director has already been linked to a job tied to Evangelos Marinakis, who owns Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave.

It’s said that Edu could work with Marinakis after leaving Arsenal, with his decision to part ways with the Gunners reported to be a ‘surprise’ in North London.

Joining forces with Marinakis could see the Brazilian involved in the Premier League with Forest, which would be a difficult pill for Arteta and co to swallow.