Mikel Arteta has vowed pursuit of glory will not be derailed by the abrupt departure of sporting director Edu. The Gunners confirmed on Monday that Edu had resigned from his position with sources telling ESPN the former midfielder is in advanced talks to take up a position at the head of a multi-club model involving owner Evangelos Marinakis. Edu rejoined the club he made 127 appearances for as a player in 2019 and was made their first-ever sporting director in November 2022 in a move which saw him assume responsibility for the men's, women's and academy sides.
Speaking at a press conference in on Tuesday ahead of Arsenal's Champions League game at Inter Milan, Arteta gave his response to any supporters fearing the progress they have made in the past five years could grind to a halt following Edu's exit. "The plan and the vision that starts with ownership that is very clear and very ambitious is going to continue," said Arteta. "We have a very strong leadership team with an unbelievable know-how, a real passion and great feelings for the football club that we're not going to stop where we are at the moment.
"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." Edu was at the club when opted to replace Unai Emery with Arteta in Dec.
