Edu's shock departure Arsenal sporting director quits in major blow to ally Arteta

Edu has resigned from his position as Arsenal's sporting director and is likely to join the network of clubs spearheaded by Evangelos Marinakis, the Nottingham Forest owner.

- Nick Ames

The Brazilian's shock departure will conclude five years in the club's senior management and means the manager, Mikel Arteta, will lose one of his major allies. The pair's strong relationship is no secret but Arsenal must now recalibrate. There is no successor lined up for a role that did not exist at the club before Edu assumed the position in November 2022.

It is understood that Arteta - as one of Arsenal's leadership team alongside the executive vice-chair, Tim Lewis, and the managing director, Richard Garlick - will play a significant role in deciding their next steps.

"This was an incredibly hard decision," Edu said. "Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things."