ARSENAL have reportedly identified two potential candidates to replace outgoing sporting director Edu Gaspar – and both are ex-Gunners.
The club officially announced Edu’s resignation and imminent departure on Monday.
A statement read: “We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart.”
The Brazilian is expected to join Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club group in a senior role at the end of his six-month notice and gardening leave period.
Jason Ayto has temporarily stepped in while Arsenal chiefs scout Edu’s permanent successor.
And according to French outlet Foot Mercato, two potential candidates have already been identified.
Former Gunners Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky are said to be “highly appreciated” by club officials.
Mertesacker already works for Arsenal as manager of the club’s academy.
He previously made 221 appearances for the Gunners across seven years before hanging up his boots.
Meanwhile, Rosicky is the sporting director of Sparta Prague.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Having previously worked as an assistant to ex-chief Zdenek Scasny, he was promoted in December 2018.
The midfielder spent 10 years with Arsenal as a player and made 246 appearances.
Club officials are said to be open to different options in their search for a new sporting director.
They are not insistent on replacing Edu like-for-like with an ex-player.
By Jack Rosser
EDU GASPAR has been on a mission to ‘Make Arsenal Great Again’ ever since returning to the club he played for 2019.
After a few wobbles early on – signing Nicolas Pepe will never reflect well – the Brazilian has, alongside Mikel Arteta, been crucial in the club’s transformation.
Arteta was brought in as the new manager within months of Edu’s return to North London and the former midfielder stuck by the boss when the pressure was on two years into the job.
Instead of making the knee-jerk decision to change manager again, the former Brazil international, joined forces with Arteta to institute a huge change of culture at The Emirates.
Overpaid toxic influences such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were purged from the dressing room and Arsenal set about adding strong characters.
Edu finally got the club competing in the transfer market again, with Martin Odegaard an outstanding capture for the club. In landing Declan Rice ahead of Manchester City last year Arsenal showed they couple compete for and sign some of Europe’s biggest talents once more.
Arsenal have become one of the most attractive clubs in the Premier League and one of the most efficient in the market.
While there have been big deals for the likes of Rice and Calafiori, there have been smart ones too – picking out value where others have lost hope.
Kai Havertz appeared as a surprising signing after a dreadful season at Chelsea. But after Edu gave the German space and support to rebuild his confidence he has developed into a fine asset for Arteta.
Edu does not only have a tight relationship with Arteta – who many fans will be glad signed a new deal before the sporting director’s departure – but the players too, always ready and waiting to check in, keep them going.
London Colney and The Emirates will feel a very different place for all of them without Edu.
