Represents the Gunners’ upset
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In a difficult sporting phase, Arsenal FC must reorient its sporting direction. Sporting director Edú Gaspar leaves the Gunners and is one of the driving forces alongside coach Mikel Arteta, who has been in charge of the North Londoners’ successful side in recent years.
The former professional, who made 127 appearances for Arsenal as a player, would take up a role under multi-club owner Evangelos Marinakis. The Greek is a shareholder in Arsenal’s rivals Nottingham Forest, currently third in the table in England, and Olympiakos Piraeus. Edu’s exact role is not yet known. Arsenal’s statement regarding the departure does not address the next step. Edu himself simply said: “Now it’s time for another challenge. Arsenal will always be in my heart.
Edú has held a managerial role at Arsenal since 2019, so he also represents the decisive change at the Gunners, heralded by the long farewell of former club icon Mesut Özil and top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Arsenal have improved markedly since, following two eighth-place finishes in 2020 and 2021, and after finishing fifth in the summer of 2022, they have twice been Premier League runners-up. Edu’s decision to leave was “incredibly difficult”.
Club owner Stan Kroenke had warm parting words: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and commitment to moving the club forward. Everyone at the club wishes him the best. We all love him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone. Change and development are part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and on winning big trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition. » Arsenal have slipped to fifth place in the Premier League after two defeats in their last three games.