Edu’s big decision in January when Arsenal and Mikel Arteta face their biggest challenge in years



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“The main thing for me is that we as a club have to understand our problem. Here. That’s it. Believe, because we believe. I believe.”

Faith is an invaluable trait in any industry, none more so than soccer. Arsenal manager Edu has a thankless task on his hands right now as he faces one of the most tumultuous periods in club history.

In recent years, Arsenal’s executive structure has changed dramatically. Beginning with the departure of Ivan Gazidis to AC Milan, who promised Sven Mislintat the position of technical director in 2019. However, he was not assigned that position and Raul Sanllehi assumed the position of Director of Soccer by becoming the man of reference. transfer negotiations.

KSE’s (Kroenke Sports & Entertainment) decision to appoint Tim Lewis as a non-executive director in the summer saw a number of cost-cutting measures, including the departure of Sanllehi himself. The recent departure of Huss Fahmy, which was described as “friendly”, was not a big surprise, but it left a new hole in the structure at a time when experience and knowledge are required.

Edu is a charismatic and attractive figure who has embedded himself closely with the players. He can be seen in almost every game, home and away, alongside CEO Vinai Venkatesham and is based out of an office in London Colney, where he mixes with the first team on a regular basis.

Upon his arrival, Edu’s role was defined as “coordinating the work of the group of coaches of the first team, the quarry, and the selection and selection of players to ensure the constant construction and efficient strengthening of our squad”. However, the departure of Sanllehi, who possessed vast soccer knowledge and a large number of contacts, has increased Edu’s responsibilities, according to a source close to the Brazilian. football, london It is “the most difficult job in elite football right now.”



Former Arsenal football chief Raúl Sanllehi talks to Edu in July 2019

Will there be signings in January? The annual clamor for arrivals in the transfer window will expand in 2021 as Arsenal’s requirements are there for all to see. Edu himself has admitted that a creative midfielder is first on the short list, but tried to downplay that any outside pick will save the Gunners season.

“Why do people have to wait for a magician to say ‘Boom! Come here, Messi “? ‘Edu told a select group of journalists earlier this month.

It does not depend on us. We will try to do something, but listen, we have a responsibility to change it. Don’t wait for someone from the outside to come in and be a magician because that’s not going to happen.

“If you can sign 20 players, which we are not going to do, it is not going to work anyway. So the main thing for me is that we as a club have to understand our problem.”



Edu, Arsenal manager, watches from the stands at Goodison Park (Image: Peter Powell – Getty Images)

football, london He has been told that there is a growing feeling among those close to Edu that he needs more help. When it comes to administration and legal work, Arsenal have a wealth of experience among their in-house lawyers, but it is the side of football where the club is likely to seek a new chief operating officer who will eventually assist Edu in hiring and supervision of the squad.

Ralp Rangnick’s success at RB Leipzig has linked him to a possible move to the club, while Luis Campos and Paul Mitchell are other names that have been mentioned. Perhaps former coach Arsene Wenger would be a suitable addition to the hierarchy at this point at a time when the team appears to be heading in the opposite direction from where the Frenchman had led it.

“No [I have never spoken to Arteta since leaving]Not with him or with anyone else, “Wenger said in a recent interview.



Edu, Arsenal manager with coach Mikel Arteta
Edu, Arsenal technical director with coach Mikel Arteta

“My influence is zero today, I am no longer responsible for anything! Today I am just a fan. I just want the club to be successful and my legacy to be used in a positive way.”

David O’Leary has been seen regularly sitting next to Edu in this season’s matches and still represents the club in an ambassadorial role, but Arsenal is likely looking to fill the position with someone who has experience in elite European football. .

Arsenal are 15th in the Premier League, five points out of the relegation zone and without a league win since November 1, although Edu had recently suggested that things are fine internally.



(R) Arsenal Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham, (L) Technical Director Edu and (2nd) Manager Mikel Arteta at London Colney. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane / Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“It is unfair to talk about a person, we are a soccer team, we have to talk about ourselves, talk about” us “and not” him “, so for me that is the main message.

“The way I see things is very simple. It’s normal and easy to get carried away by results. But for me, the main point is when I see something that I can see into the future, see where we are going, the way we I’m building things, starting to see them daily.

“So the way we work, the way we train, the way we behave internally, if you see the quality of the work, if you see the quality of the people, if you see correctly what happens here on a daily basis, it’s not nothing to compare with the results. “



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The pressure on Edu to help coach Mikel Arteta turn things around at the moment is ten times greater and while his public comments are full of positivity, there can be no doubt that another seasoned soccer operator would help share those crucial responsibilities with the former Gunners midfielder as the club looks to get back on track in what has been a disastrous campaign thus far.



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