Josh Kroenke’s vow to Arsenal fans following Edu Gaspar exit will be undermined by one major factor

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Arsenal have recently been rocked by the news of Edu Gaspar’s resignation as sporting director.

The North London club will now have to begin their search for a new sporting director, after Edu Gaspar turned his back on Arsenal in a surprise move yesterday.

The Brazilian had been at the club since the summer of 2019, and worked closely with Mikel Arteta to make Arsenal truly competitive once again.

However, Edu had his head turned by the owner of a Premier League rival and has now walked out on the Emirates Stadium project.

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

How Josh Kroenke responded to Edu Gaspar quitting Arsenal

The Arsenal hierarchy expected Edu to stay. However, if his heart was no longer in the role he was being asked to perform for the club then there was little sense in the Gunners trying to prevent his departure.

Josh Kroenke, son of Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke and part of the club’s leadership group, has since made a statement regarding Edu’s exit.

As quoted by the official Arsenal website, he said: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.

“Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.

“Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”

Why Edu exit will damage Arsenal’s Premier League title push

Arsenal are already on the back foot when it comes to the Premier League title race. With ten games played, Arteta’s side sit fifth in the table, seven points behind current leaders Liverpool and five points short of reigning champions Manchester City’s total.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	10	8	1	1	19	6	13	25
2	Man CityManchester City	10	7	2	1	21	11	10	23
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	10	5	4	1	14	7	7	19
4	ChelseaChelsea	10	5	3	2	20	12	8	18
5	ArsenalArsenal	10	5	3	2	17	11	6	18
6	Aston VillaAston Villa	10	5	3	2	17	15	2	18
7	TottenhamTottenham	10	5	1	4	22	11	11	16
8	BrightonBrighton	10	4	4	2	17	14	3	16

Key:

Position 1 – 4 : Champions League
Position 5 : UEFA Europa League
Position 18 – 20 : Relegation

Arsenal have dropped points in half of their Premier League outings so far this season, and have certainly lacked cutting edge in the final third.

Winning a Premier League title is Arsenal’s main ambition, and Kroenke has now promised that that will factor heavily when it comes to appointing Edu’s successor.

However, the truth is that the club have now unexpectedly lost their chief transfer negotiator just shy of the January window opening. This will surely have thrown their plans for that market into disarray.

Arsenal need to strengthen in January if they are to be crowned champions this season, but Edu’s exit may have just foiled their plans in that regard, despite Kroenke’s promises.