Arsenal intend to take their time over appointing Edu’s successor as sporting director, with his deputy, Jason Ayto, set to step until the recruitment process has been completed.
Mikel Arteta admitted before Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at Inter that the Brazilian’s departure had taken Arsenal by surprise and “everything happened very quickly”. It is understood that Edu – who is expected to join the multi-club network of Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, on a reported £5m a year – is beginning a six-month notice period with reduced responsibilities as Arsenal look for a replacement.