EDU GASPAR has broken his silence after it was announced he would be leaving Arsenal.
Having joined the club as technical director in 2019, Edu became the sporting director in 2022, working closely with Mikel Arteta to overhaul the culture at the club.
However, stunning reports emerged today that the Invincibles star would be stepping down and was set to join Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ footballing empire.
The news was confirmed by the Gunners in a statement on Monday evening.
And Edu, 46, has broken his silence on the shocking move.
He said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.
“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history.
“It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.
“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart.
“I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”
Co-chairman Josh Kroenke paid an emotional tribute to the outgoing director.
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He said: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.
“Everyone at the club wishes him well.
“We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.
“Change and evolution is a part of our club.
Edu's 35 signings ranked
EDU oversaw the arrival of 35 players during his time at the club.
Some worked out better than others.
Here, SunSport ranks them from worst to best…
35. Nicolas Pepe (£72m)
34. Willian (Free)
33. David Luiz (£8m)
32. Runar Alex Runarsson (£2m)
31. Mat Ryan (Loan)
30. Fabio Vieira (£34m)
29. Neto (Loan)
28. Marquinhos (£3m)
27. Nuno Tavares (£8m)
26. Matt Turner (£5m)
25. Cedric Soares (Free)
24. Albert Sambi Lokonga (£17m)
23. Pablo Mari (£5m)
22. Dani Ceballos (Loan)
21. Raheem Sterling (Loan)
20. Jakub Kiwior (£17m)
19. Jorginho (£12m)
18. Riccardo Calafiori (£42m)
17. Kieran Tierney (£25m)
16. Takehiro Tomiyasu (£20m)
15. Mikel Merino (£28m)
14. Aaron Ramsdale (£24m)
13. Oleksandr Zinchenko (£30m)
12. Gabriel Jesus (£45m)
11. Kai Havertz (£65m)
10. Jurrien Timber (£38m)
9. Gabriel Martinelli (£6m)
8. David Raya (£27m)
7. Leandro Trossard (£20m)
6. Thomas Partey (£45m)
5. Ben White (£50m)
4. Gabriel Magalhaes (£27m)
3. Declan Rice (£105m)
2. William Saliba (£27m)
1. Martin Odegaard (£30m)
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“We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies.
“Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”
Players learning the news of Edu’s departure on Monday morning were said to be shocked by the departure of their sporting director.
The former Brazil international, who worked for the Brazilian Federation before returning to North London, has become one of the elite sporting directors in European football after landing signings such as Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and William Saliba.
Last year he was named Best European Director at the Golden Boy Awards.
The Brazilian, part of Arsenal’s Invincibles squad under Arsene Wenger, has developed a close relationship with a number of the current players.
Arsenal and Edu resignation statement in full
Edu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our Sporting Director.
Edu, our former player and Invincible, re-joined us in the role of Technical Director in July 2019. He progressed through the club and was promoted to Sporting Director in November 2022, where he oversaw men’s, women’s and academy football.
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.
Edu said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.
“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.
“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”
Our Co-Chair, Josh Kroenke, added: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.
“Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.
“Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”
How Edu made Arsenal great again
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.
Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle
ARSENAL fell to defeat to Newcastle in a fresh blow to their title ambitions.
The Magpies won 1-0 thanks to a fine header from Alexander Isak.
Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates the players…
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
Great early distribution to go long over the Newcastle press but nothing he could do with Isak’s pin-point header.
Was barely troubled in the second half but was forced to watch a lacklustre Arsenal dawdle to another defeat.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Looks really comfortable in that role, even if it is only temporary, but obviously lacks an attacking threat of a full-back which hindered Saka slightly.
Moved back into midfield on the hour mark with Arsenal chasing the game.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
A welcome presence back in the defensive line following suspension. Covered his defensive partner well and kept his cool amid Arsenal’s frustration.
GABRIEL – 5
Lost Isak in the box for Newcastle’s opener and nearly handed the hosts another chance with a sloppy pass out.
Normally a rock, this was one of those rare jittery displays we thought were a thing of the past.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Looked good in attack but arguably should have closed down Gordon’s cross before the hosts took the lead and struggled to contain the England winger in the first half.
MIKEL MERINO – 5
Unfortunate not to get on the score sheet against his former club from close range after a scramble from a corner.
But as a whole, he currently looks lost in his position, unsure of when to go and when to sit deep, meaning Newcastle were able to prize Arsenal’s midfield open.
Feels like we are not seeing the best of him just yet.
DECLAN RICE – 6
On set-piece duty, his delivery was unusually poor, failing to beat the first man on numerous occasions and struggled to impose himself in open play too, even if he came close with a deflected effort in the second half before fluffing a great headed chance in injury time.
If he is going to be the anchor of this team and dictate play, he has got to be a lot better.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5
Pretty anonymous other than a few surging runs. Another player that looks lost in a floating No.10 role behind the main striker.
The Belgian is at his best cutting in and using his blistering pace. He can do neither through the middle against a compact opposition set-up.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Looked to be getting the better of Toon right-back Hall early on but his game faded after that, along with his team’s.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Showed glimpses of being back to his buzzing best, taking on defenders and stretching the game for Arsenal, but only lasted an hour before being taken off.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Never got a sniff, but got to put that down to a complete lack of service from Arsenal’s wide players. He was desperate to attack a decent cross that never really came.
SUBS:
ETHAN NWANERI (MERINO, 61) – 6
Given a nice welcome to Tyneside with a crunching tackle from Willock seconds after coming on.
Found some nice pockets of space and look sharp as he blazed one over from range, but was always a big ask for him to be Arsenal’s saviour.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (MARTINELLI, 61) – 5
Thrown on to bring tempo and control. Brought neither from an inverted left-back position.
BEN WHITE (TIMBER, 71) – 6
Had only completed half a session to prepare for this one having picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend, so was a surprise to even see him at all.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD) – 5
Tasked with creating something special from out wide, but there is a reason the Brazilian is only a bit-part player nowadays.
JORGINHO (PARTEY, 86) – N/A
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