After over five transformative years at Arsenal, sporting director Edu Gaspar is set to depart the club. The 46-year-old Brazilian, who played a pivotal role both on and off the field for the Gunners, is reportedly eyeing a fresh challenge, potentially with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’s group of clubs. Marinakis, a Greek businessman, also controls Olympiacos and Rio Ave, adding an interesting dimension to Edu’s possible next move.

Forest has declined to comment officially but has previously issued denials regarding any connections to Edu. Regardless of where Edu heads next, his departure will undoubtedly leave a void at Arsenal, a club where he has significantly reshaped the sporting strategy over the past half-decade.

Edu joined Arsenal’s technical team in the summer of 2019, bringing with him the same ambition and skill that had defined his time as a member of the famous ‘Invincibles’ squad in the 2003-04 season. Appointed initially as the club’s first-ever technical director, Edu quickly made a lasting impact by recruiting Mikel Arteta as head coach that December, sparking a new era at Arsenal. Arteta’s role later evolved to manager, and Edu’s own responsibilities expanded, as he became the club’s first sporting director in November 2022.

This partnership between Edu and Arteta saw Arsenal capture the FA Cup in 2020 and come within a whisker of winning the Premier League title in the 2023-24 season. Their synergy and shared vision were instrumental in Arsenal’s resurgence, culminating in Arteta’s three-year contract extension this past September — a moment Edu described as “a very positive and proud moment for everyone at the club.”

Edu’s tenure is perhaps most notable for his work in rebuilding Arsenal’s squad. Faced with the challenge of reducing a bloated wage bill, he orchestrated the departures of high earners like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, and Nicolas Pepe. In their place, Edu brought in younger, highly talented players like Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba, and Ben White, laying the foundation for a competitive, youthful squad.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Last November, Edu was awarded the title of Best European Director for 2023 at the Golden Boy awards, an honour hosted by Italian publication Tuttosport. This accolade served as recognition of Edu’s strategic approach and the impact he has had on shaping a modern Arsenal team.

Edu’s departure raises questions about how Arsenal will fill the void left by a man who has had his hand in nearly every aspect of the club’s sporting strategy. Under his guidance, Arsenal’s recruitment department underwent significant changes, focusing on younger, high-potential signings who have both raised the club’s overall value and improved the quality of the squad. His promotion to sporting director in 2022 extended his influence, granting him oversight of Arsenal’s academy and women’s teams, which further reinforced the club’s holistic development approach.

Edu’s strong relationship with Arteta has been central to Arsenal’s recent successes. While his exit marks the end of an era, the recruitment and sporting structure he has helped establish will hopefully provide some continuity for the club. Arsenal fans will be hoping that Edu’s groundwork leaves a lasting legacy that can sustain the club’s trajectory in the seasons to come.

Edu’s time with Arsenal spans decades, from his playing days in the early 2000s to his administrative role in the last few years. During his playing career with Arsenal, he made 127 appearances, scoring 15 goals and contributing to the club’s incredible success as part of the Invincibles. After retiring in 2011, he cut his teeth in management with Corinthians in Brazil, later serving as the Brazil national team’s coordinator before rejoining Arsenal.

His wealth of experience, both in Europe and South America, has allowed him to build a robust network and unique insights into player development. This global experience could serve him well in his next role, especially if he takes up a position within the Marinakis football group, which spans multiple leagues and countries.

Edu’s departure comes at a time when Arsenal is stabilising after years of rebuilding. The club’s hierarchy will be tasked with finding a replacement who can not only fill Edu’s shoes but also build on the progress he has made. Arsenal’s fans will hope that the momentum he helped generate — the balance between experience and youthful energy, the alignment between the men’s and women’s teams, and the integration of the academy — continues.

The next sporting director will have a clear roadmap, thanks to Edu’s work, but the journey forward will still be filled with challenges. How Arsenal navigates this new chapter will be crucial to maintaining its place as a top Premier League club.

Edu’s Arsenal journey has been remarkable, defined by a vision of modern football management and player recruitment. His time as sporting director has reshaped the club’s identity, fostering a new era of optimism and ambition. Arsenal fans and staff alike will bid him farewell with a sense of gratitude, recognising the transformative impact he has had on the club.

As Edu moves on to new horizons, Arsenal faces the challenge of sustaining his legacy while adapting to fresh ideas. The foundation he leaves behind is strong, and for a club with a storied history, this is just another chapter in an ongoing journey. Fans can only hope that the strides made during Edu’s time continue to propel Arsenal forward, both in England and across Europe.