Arsenal chief Edu to LEAVE Emirates in shock blow to club and Mikel Arteta

Arsenal's sporting director, Edu, is reportedly set to leave his role at the Premier League title contenders. The Brazilian has been instrumental in the Gunners' revival under manager Mikel Arteta since joining as technical director in July 2019, six months prior to Arteta taking the helm.

Together, they've transformed Arsenal into title challengers, finishing second to Manchester City twice. His efforts saw him promoted to sporting director in November 2022, a position he's held since.

Widely considered one of football's top sporting directors, Edu has secured key signings like Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, while also successfully offloading surplus players such as Pierre Emerick Aubamayang and Aaron Ramsdale. However, according to the Daily Mail, Edu has chosen to step down following discussions with other club executives.

It's said to be his decision, with a reshuffle anticipated within the club's executive team. Reports suggest that Edu's exit isn't due to any power struggle at the Emirates Stadium, with more details expected to surface in the next 24 hours.

It remains unclear when exactly Edu will leave. He has been a crucial ally for Arteta since the Spaniard's appointment in December 2019, reports the Mirror.

Ahead of Arsenal's Champions League match against Inter Milan, Arteta is expected to address the media where he'll likely face questions about Edu's departure.

Drop your thoughts below. Edu, the former midfield maestro who clinched two Premier League crowns and three FA Cups during his four-year stint at Arsenal, has since transitioned into an executive role, initially taking charge as Corinthians' director of football before becoming the general coordinator for Brazil's national team, ultimately joining Arsenal's backroom staff.

Despite a summer spending spree exceeding £100 million, Arsenal find themselves in a challenging spot, sitting fifth in the league after a recent loss to Newcastle, trailing leaders Liverpool by seven points. The Emirates welcomed a host of new faces including Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, David Raya, Raheem Sterling, and Neto.

Following Edu's promotion to sporting director, Arteta expressed his desire for Edu's long-term presence at the club: "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. 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," he remarked in 2022. Arteta also highlighted Edu's significant impact, saying, "There is a lot happening in a football club and he has a huge role and he has a really good way of communicating with people and managing a lot of things that happen daily. For me and for the team he is really important."

"The roles have to be very clear; you have to share the same ideas but 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."

"We have the right balance, not only with Edu but with Vinai (Venkatesham, CEO) and with Rich (Garlick, director of football operations) and with the ownership. It's really important. We make a decision, it's all together it's not your decision or my idea. It's important in good and difficult moments as well to be together."