Arsenal sporting director and key Mikel Arteta ally Edu to LEAVE club

Mikel Arteta is to lose a key ally at Arsenal with highly rated sporting director Edu set to leave the club.

The Brazilian, a former Arsenal midfielder, has been responsible for capturing key signings such as Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice and in leading Arsenal's strong performance in recruitment and delivering key players to the club.

He is widely thought of as one of the leading sporting directors in world football for masterminding the change in Arsenal's signing surge as well as supporting the offloading of troubled stars such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who were considered to be part of a failed past.

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.

It is thought there may have been a reshuffle in responsibilities among the Arsenal hierarchy in key positions but it is 'too simplistic' to suggest there has been a power struggle, one source told Mail Sport.

Edu, regularly photographed by the club photographer alongside new signings and quoted in official club releases, has been the driving force behind a cultural change at the club since he took the role in 2019.

He was appointed because he 'gets the club and what is needed.'

One former team mate said 'there is a class about the guy'.

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Then director of football Raul Sanileh said: 'We're very excited that Edu is joining the team. He has great experience and technical football knowledge and most importantly is a true Arsenal man. He understands the club and what we stand for to our millions of fans around the world.'

Edu, 46, has said in an interview that he is proud to have supported Arteta in 'changing how people see our club and the vision people have of Arsenal compared to the past.'

A cultured Brazilian midfielder, he was signed by Arsene Wenger and played for the Invincibles with team-mates such as Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Martin Keown.

'I want to win the best way possible,' he added. 'When we win the trophy, it is because we did it the right way. Ask every single Arsenal fan how they feel about that.' He spoke after Arsenal lost out in the title race against Manchester City.

His departure will be felt among the Arsenal fan base who will await a club announcement about the reasons behind the decision with interest.

Arsenal play in Milan on Wednesday with Arteta due to speak on Tuesday when he will be asked about Edu's departure and what this means to him personally.

Keown, a Mail Sport columnist, said this about Edu's appointment that eventually lead to an elevation to the Sporting Director role

'I think it is very interesting because he understands this role and he understands the expectancy at Arsenal,' Keown said in 2019.

'He cannot really affect it on the training ground. but he will be able to address things with the processes at the club.

'He is a great guy who was also greatly underestimated, to be honest. It was a big loss when he left the football club because there was an element of class to him. I am pleased that the club has recognised that '