November 8th 2024.
After five years, Edu has officially said goodbye to Arsenal. It came as a surprise to many, and now the club is on the lookout for a new sporting director. Two familiar faces have caught their eye - former Arsenal players who could potentially fill Edu's shoes.
It was announced on Monday that Edu would be leaving his post at the Emirates. He is expected to join Evangelos Marinakis' group of clubs, which includes Nottingham Forest. This is a big loss for Arsenal, as Edu's signings over the last five years have played a crucial role in the team's revival under manager Mikel Arteta. However, his departure is not expected to affect their plans for the upcoming January transfer window.
The search for a new sporting director will be a thorough process. Arsenal will take their time in deciding who is best suited for the role. In the meantime, assistant sporting director Jason Ayto will have a larger role at the club. They are also considering external candidates, one of which is reported to be West Ham's technical director, Tim Steidten. It is believed that the Hammers are worried about losing Steidten to their London rivals.
While some may find Steidten's potential appointment surprising, given that many of his signings at West Ham have not lived up to expectations, it seems that Arsenal's hierarchy highly values the work of former players. Per Mertesacker and Tomas Rosicky have both been praised for their contributions since retiring from football. Mertesacker is currently the head of Arsenal's academy and has briefly served as interim assistant manager before Arteta's arrival in 2019. Rosicky, on the other hand, is the sporting director at Sparta Prague - his childhood club and where he ended his playing career.
Together, Mertesacker and Rosicky have made 468 appearances for Arsenal and won the FA Cup in 2014. While being a former player is not the only qualification for the job, it certainly adds an extra level of understanding and connection to the club. Edu himself spent four years playing for Arsenal, and if Mertesacker and/or Rosicky can replicate his success, they would be a valuable asset to the club.
But for now, Arsenal must focus on their upcoming game against Chelsea. It will be a challenging match, and a loss could jeopardize their chances in the title race this season. As they continue their search for a new sporting director, the team must stay focused and determined on the pitch.
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