Mikel Arteta has assured Arsenal fans that the club’s pursuit of success will not be halted by the sudden resignation of their sporting director, Edu.
On Monday, Arsenal announced that Edu had stepped down from his position. Reports later revealed that the former Brazil midfielder is in advanced discussions about taking on a new role at the helm of a multi-club project, led by Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis.
Edu had rejoined Arsenal in 2019, having previously played 127 games for the club, and was appointed as the first-ever sporting director in November 2022. His responsibilities spanned across the men’s, women’s, and academy teams.
At a press conference in Italy on Tuesday, just before Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League match against Inter Milan, Arteta addressed concerns that Edu’s departure might negatively impact the club’s momentum.
“The plan and the vision that starts with ownership that is very clear and very ambitious is going to continue,” Arteta said. “We have a very strong leadership team with an unbelievable know-how, a real passion, and great feelings for the football club, and we’re not going to stop where we are at the moment.”
Arteta emphasized the continued excitement and drive within the club, stating, “Then across the club, the excitement, the passion, the understanding of where we want to take this journey remains intact. That means opportunities as well for somebody else to come and fulfil their role.”
“We move on. We say thank you, and we have to move on because that’s the reality of our industry,” he added.
Edu had been an integral part of the club’s leadership, particularly during the decision to bring Arteta on as manager in December 2019 after Unai Emery’s departure.
Under his leadership, the club underwent a major squad overhaul, shaping Arsenal’s current squad. Sources confirmed that Edu informed most of the staff at the club’s training ground, Colney, on Monday morning.
Arteta reflected on the suddenness of Edu’s departure, saying, “Everything happened very quickly. Obviously, I loved working with him. I really enjoyed being alongside him in this incredible journey. From day one, we’ve been together. I’m very grateful personally for everything he’s done for me and for the amazing work that he’s done for the football club.”
He continued, “I think we both had this special chemistry working together, we really both enjoyed our roles and working together. I’m very blessed that he’s been part of my life in such a beautiful place that I am right now, managing this incredible club, and he’s been a massive part of that. He’s had an amazing opportunity now to do something else in a different role, and he believes that it’s the right professional move for him.”
Arteta expressed heartfelt support for Edu’s decision, saying, “We have to respect that, and from the bottom of my heart, I think everybody really feels that we want the best for him, and that’s it.”
Additionally, Arteta confirmed that club captain Martin Ødegaard had traveled with the team to Italy as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury, while midfielder Declan Rice is staying back in London due to a foot injury sustained during Arsenal’s recent defeat to Newcastle United.
