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whilst I’m surprised and disappointed Edu is gone, my main concern is that we must ensure whoever the new guy is has more power over signings and the direction than Arteta.

We do not need a lame duck appointee DOF who will defer to Arteta moving forwards.

We’ve had a few such lame ducks in this club before, most notably Ivan who was CEO in name only whilst Wenger was the real power behind literally everything. That arrangement did not serve us one bit.

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According to rumours, Arteta gets the players he wants.

That doesn't look good when you have a technical director.

When the manager and technical director have equal say on signings, that's a demotion for the technical director. A technical director should be able to veto the manager.

When Klopp came to Liverpool, he wanted Julian Brandt. But Liverpool said no, and got Mo Salah instead.

We heard rumours of disagreement in the Arsenal hierarchy about the Merino deal. But Arteta got what he wanted.

Nobody knows what happened behind the scenes for sure. But I hope this doesn't set us back.

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After the initial shock, I actually see this as a rather interesting and positive development. I’ve always questioned the Edu greatness narrative because of the two eras as mentioned, and exactly if we really wanted him we’d have kept him.

Which suggests that we don’t value him as highly, which suggests we think we can do better, or that his influence was not as great as we the fans assumed based on what we see. We have collectively bought into the Edu idea because of that flashiness.

Really on the same page with this article. Spot on.

We either aren’t as reliant upon him as we thought and his role will be assumed by others, it wasn’t that great behind the scenes as we thought, or we assessed the situation and thought we could do better. That’s pretty exciting.

Got my eye on Tim Lewis.

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new post

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10 hrs ago·edited 10 hrs ago

I was aware of the Greek billionaire Marinakis being in Edu's head trying to lure him for some time now. As others said, the timing is quite peculiar.

As a true Gooner, Edu might have been postponing his final decision on the unbelievable offer he was given - triple his salary to a £6m p/a. It's just an incredible offer payment wise plus a promotion that instantly goes on his CV and opens up new future possibilities.

But maybe, just maybe he was trying to buy time and see if Arsenal can become champions during his time here. Celebrate a title and write his name in the history of our club - again.

The last couple of results might have pushed his hand to do the smart thing and partly admit defeat in our chances to lift the title.

But also, the mood being so low lately probably had to do with his decision that was surely making rounds in the dressing room.

A beloved person by everyone at the club and even by his colleagues at the other clubs.

Godspeed and I wish him all the success in the world. Unbelievable offer that is plain impossible to refuse. But it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I wanted him to get his flowers for his hard work and dedication. Hopefully now, that new someone we'll sign, will reap the rewards and show Edu that he should have sticked around for a bit longer.

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It is really not that deep. He is a director of football. He wanted a pay rise and a better role. He took it. This isn't like players waiting to see if we can win something.

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I get the tripling of wages and senior role at a premier club.... But Forest? A club deep in PSR mire, deducted points last season and probably have to sell before they buy. Edu sure hasn't shown that selling acumen to date.

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Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave.

He'll be Chief executive of the whole group of clubs.

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My big criticism of Edu stems from him not bringing in enough young talent from South America that's supposed to be his bread and butter. But it's possible as has been alluded to that Mikel has too much power in those sorts of things and he probably prefers an emphasis on clearly defensive signings and probably on more established players.

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Defenders, and ex players it seems

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Don't think this is a bad thing. This summer's recruitment hasn't been stellar, and maybe we need a refresh of thinking which a new man can bring. Can hardly blame Edu for tripling his salary in the ridiculous world of football executives, but as Pedro points out he had his fair share of flops as well as successes. In Ferguson's pomp and also with Guardiola, the media always loved to portray the loss of a. key assistant as the end of an empire, but it has almost never worked out that way.

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Absolutely 100% need a DOF and Arteta should not be anywhere near the choosing. The idea of going from one Wenger to another should be utterly unacceptable. Now luckily there's potential for a good appointment cause there are some good ones out there. Hopefully it's someone who can keep Arteta in check because the sauce is a bit off these days. Have to save him from himself otherwise we'll be knee-deep in goalkeeper and defensive signings

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You know I don’t think Per Mertesacker would be so bad as a replacement for Edu as sporting director.

It would help by bringing some stability and a voice that’s familiar to the players and Arteta on an interim basis

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Think like most things this could be a good or a bad thing.. We could get in somebody with new views and contacts or we could get a yes man. What transpires will be interesting to see. But the timing of it after 2 big losses can not be coincidental. There must be things behind the scenes that transpired to make it happen mid-season and not just a pay raise.

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If you’re being paid £2 million p/a, and someone offers you £6 million p/a.

Then it’s likely that could be a really big motivating factor.

Just see Wilshere moving as an opportunity to move from coaching youth teams, to coaching at senior level.

It’s just a natural progression.

When there’s talented people working at Arsenal, that talent with inevitably be coveted.

Which is infinitely preferable to having people working here who other clubs wouldn’t go near with a barge pole.

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I just hope this is not the beginning of an exodus of our best talent, executives, medical, coaching, Arteta and our best players...

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10 hrs ago·edited 10 hrs ago

Ya except you don't do it half way thru a season to go to a lesser Club, You do it at the end of season or you do it when things are going well, especially in a high profile position unless the relationship is broken. It comes across as I'm not feeling valued so F it, I'm out of here to go somewhere I am. You can't tell me that Forrest offer would not be there whenever he wants or that Arsenal could not have matched their offer. . Let's see who they bring in and then there will be more information I suppose. My point being the timing of this does not feel like business as usual . Whereas Wilshere a junior coach looking to find an upward mobility opportunity absolutely does.

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Forest are above us presently in the league. Just saying

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5 hrs ago·edited 5 hrs ago

I think you would find it very difficult to find anyone who thought a move from Arsenal to Forrest is a more prestigious move, regardless of Table position.

Let's see what the succession plan is..that Josh K. mentioned on the .com though: Josh K " We remain focused on our strategy to win major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this ambition."

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Have to agree to disagree.

Don’t see either as a big deal overall.

Just need to ensure we replace both adequately.

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Well like I said.. It could be a good thing in the end.. But our team just got 1 point out of our last 3 games the transfer window is only 2 months away.. and our Sporting Director says see ya bro. Not good optics at the very least.

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Simply put, Edu doesn't 'trust the process' any longer.

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Pedro: "Arteta runs the club these days. He stopped us from signing Emerson Royal. He’s the guy that sells the players on the vision. Arteta is the one who has the sauce that brings the best talents to Arsenal."

Still Pedro: "We can’t just allow Edu’s role to move to Arteta. This isn’t the moment to anoint a king, something KSE has done in the past."

What role then? If Arteta does all in the first block, why does they need to be an appointment for DOF? He's everything already.

shit post by the way. Sycophancy at its best. I may understand trying to write a post that sells hope but taking a hit on Edu and somehow giving Arteta his glory? Crazy.

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So simply put 'Edu has stopped trusting the process'. Well well well...

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I think Mike just watches major tournaments and he picks players who he likes for Edu to get. Euros, WC. etc. Or former players. Do we have scouts anymore? we had some, fired all, then I heard we have a few new ones?

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It's also seems we don't properly track players that are on loans

How did we miss out on Nuno Tavares, just when he was entering the maturity stages?

He's a beast right now at Lazio. To think we are set to land a massive €9m (£7.5m / $9.7m) in June 2025...wow..

If the Director of football was doing his job properly, he should have been recalled and that money spend on Cala should have gone to an attacking player.

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Arteta told Edu that he didn't want Aubameyang and Edu couldn't do naught about it even though he knew it was the wrong decision. I wonder why you think Edu had any say in Tavares

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Arteta told Edu that he didn't want Aubameyang and Edu couldn't do naught about it even though he knew it was the wrong decision. I wonder why you think Edu had any say in Tavares

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11 hrs ago·edited 11 hrs ago

This is so reactionary. I am glad he left permanently. He is a brain dead defender and was a flop for us. He had multpile loans where he was crap. Marsille and Forrest in particular. We got what we paid.

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Mike does not want Tavares. End of. Edu just does what he wants.

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Martinelli has been sub par but we can't even begin to have a serious conversation about him until they move out Gabriel Jesus

Jesus is stealing a living from Arsenal right now.

The only serious attackers we have are Saka and Ode

Then there's Trossard who's being thrown left right and center. He's been poor but still good value for his wages/transfer fee.

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I think Jesus leaves in summer for sure.

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Agree Jesus is a shell of his for er self

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