Is key Arsenal figure on the verge of leaving?

Arsenal’s whole focus has been on strengthening. Improving the roster with outstanding players, including the renewal of contracts for both Mikel Arteta and crucial young talents who will be the foundation of the Gunners’ future.

Few, though, anticipated that one of the Arsenal machine’s crucial parts would be leaving anytime soon.

However, it is now a possibility after it was revealed that the club’s technical director, Edu, is attracting interest from outside the club.

David Ornstein disclosed to The Athletic Football Podcast that he had been aware of the growing interest in Edu from conversing with people in the game.

Nonetheless, he gave Arsenal fans hope that a prospective exit would be avoided.

“When you speak to people in the game, there’s been interest in Edu from elsewhere, he’s had opportunities. But they are going to hope to keep this nucleus they’ve got together now at the executive level and at the player level.

“If Arsenal make it into next season’s Champions League, then the revenues will take a massive uplift. Don’t forget that the Kroenke’s have been largely funding this process, in exactly what form in terms of loan, equity or whatever I’m not an expert on, but it is a serious undertaking.”

Arsenal fans may have wished for a change in structure following back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the rankings.

However, Edu has worked tirelessly alongside Arteta and Richard Garlick to bring talent to the club and even break transfer spending records.

Arsenal leads the Premier League table after nine games, having won all but one of them. Including wins over Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as historically difficult matches against Crystal Palace and Brentford.

There is actual proof of development at the club, and Edu has been at the centre of it for quite some time.

Seeing it fall apart would cast severe doubt on the club’s future recruitment, with no guarantee that the Brazilian’s replacement would align as perfectly with those already at the club.