Gunners more than content to wait to name Edu’s replacement with focus solely on getting the successor they want.
Gunners intend to take their time over appointing Edu’s successor as sporting director. In the meanwhile, Jason Ayto will take temporary charge. He was Edu’s assistant in the erstwhile role.
Before Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Inter, Mikel Arteta said that Arsenal was caught off guard by the Brazilian’s departure and that “everything happened very quickly.” According to reports, Edu, who is anticipated to join Nottingham Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs for an estimated £5 million annually, is starting a six-month notice period with fewer responsibilities while Arsenal searches for a replacement.
Along with the other members of Arsenal’s leadership team, including Tim Lewis, the executive vice-chair, and Richard Garlick, who was elevated from director of football operations to managing director in the summer, Arteta is anticipated to be influential in that choice. They have reportedly not yet set their sights on a specific person, but they do want someone who can collaborate closely with the manager of Arsenal and try to build on the team’s recent success.
As they get ready for the January transfer window, Ayto, who was elevated to assistant sports director in April of last year, is anticipated to fill the void. At Arsenal, where he began as a video scout in 2014 and rose through the ranks to become the recruitment coordinator, the 38-year-old is well-liked. Although Arsenal is rumoured to be looking for a more seasoned sporting director and may be willing to wait up to six months for the right candidate, he might be considered for the permanent position.
During next week’s international break, Arsenal’s management is scheduled to meet with owner Stan Kroenke and his son Josh, the co-chair, in the United States to discuss the next summer transfer market. Despite having a difficult start to the season and trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by seven points, it is believed that they will not be making any costly additions in January unless key players suffer injuries.
Arsenal racked up 20 attempts and had almost 63% possession at San Siro but could not find a way through Inter’s defence. “It was very tough, very frustrating for us,” said the defender Jurriën Timber. “I think we played a good game. We dominated a lot but we didn’t score.”