Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence that Edu’s departure as Arsenal’s sporting director will not derail the club’s progress, despite the surprise nature of the Brazilian’s exit. Edu resigned from his role on Monday, leaving Arsenal without a clear successor in place. His departure has raised questions about the future direction of the club, especially as the sporting director role was a relatively recent addition at the Emirates Stadium under Edu’s leadership, having been established in 2022.
While Arteta admitted that the resignation happened unexpectedly and that he was personally disappointed by the news, he remained optimistic about the club’s ability to continue its upward trajectory. Edu is expected to join the multi-club network owned by Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, with reports indicating that Arsenal made a last-ditch effort to keep him by offering to match the salary being offered by Marinakis. However, Edu ultimately decided that the new opportunity was the right move for him professionally.
Arteta, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan, shared his gratitude for Edu’s contributions to the club and emphasized the strong working relationship they shared. He described their partnership as one of great chemistry, reflecting on the journey they had embarked on together and the success they had achieved in that time. Arteta made it clear that while Edu’s decision had come quickly, the club respected his choice and wished him the best in his new role.
Arteta further reassured Arsenal supporters that the club’s plans and vision remain clear. He pointed to the strong leadership team already in place, noting their deep understanding of the club’s direction and their passion for the game. According to Arteta, the departure of Edu will not halt the momentum Arsenal has built under his leadership. He stressed that the excitement and ambition within the club are unchanged, and that Edu’s exit simply opens the door for someone new to come in and take on the challenge of fulfilling the role he vacated. The manager emphasized the importance of moving forward, acknowledging the fast-moving nature of football and the need for adaptation.
In terms of player news, Arteta confirmed that Declan Rice would not be traveling to Milan for the match against Inter due to a foot injury sustained during Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Newcastle. Rice’s injury has left him unable to wear a boot comfortably, and it is uncertain whether he will be fit for Arsenal’s upcoming clash with Chelsea. Arteta noted that while the injury was disappointing, there was a silver lining in the form of Martin Ødegaard’s recovery. The Arsenal captain had been sidelined for 12 matches due to an ankle injury sustained while on international duty with Norway in September. Despite this, Ødegaard made the trip to Milan with the squad, signaling a positive step in his recovery, although Arteta confirmed that it was still unclear whether he would feature in the match against Inter.
Ødegaard’s return to the team would be a significant boost for Arsenal, and Arteta expressed his delight that the midfielder was able to travel with the squad earlier than expected. Arteta acknowledged that it would be a decision made closer to match time as to whether Ødegaard would play, but he noted that it was a major step for the player to rejoin the team after such a long absence. Ødegaard’s leadership and technical ability are seen as vital for Arsenal, particularly in such an important Champions League encounter.
As Arsenal prepares to face Inter, Arteta is keen to maintain a sense of perspective despite recent setbacks in the Premier League. Arsenal has failed to win their last three league matches, but they remain unbeaten in the Champions League with three draws to start the campaign. Bukayo Saka, who has captained the team in Ødegaard’s absence, shared his thoughts on the team’s current run of form. He downplayed the need for drastic measures or overreactions in response to the recent run of poor results. Instead, Saka emphasized the importance of remaining calm and focused, stating that overreacting could contribute to unnecessary panic and disrupt the team’s stability.
Saka acknowledged the “noise” surrounding the club following a disappointing sequence of results but argued that a measured response would help maintain a level of calm within the squad. He also reinforced his commitment to supporting his teammates in any way he could, asserting that if needed, he would step up to lead in the locker room or on the pitch. However, he also stressed that calmness, rather than panic, would help Arsenal navigate through this challenging period.
In summary, while Edu’s departure is a surprising and significant development for Arsenal, Arteta’s message was one of optimism and continuity. The club remains focused on its goals and is determined to move forward despite the changes. The strong leadership at Arsenal, coupled with the club’s clear vision, ensures that the team will continue on its path of improvement. Arteta’s confidence, combined with Ødegaard’s potential return and the continued leadership of Saka, suggests that Arsenal will continue to be a competitive force both domestically and in Europe. As the team prepares for their upcoming fixtures, Arteta and his squad are determined to maintain a sense of calm and unity as they push for success.
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