Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he's hopeful that Arsenal's technical director Edu will further commit to the project in north London.
football.london understands that the Gunners are in early talks with the Brazilian over a new contract. However, as per the Daily Mail, there is growing interest in potentially securing his services, with at least two European clubs making that interest concrete.
Edu and Arteta are the two cornerstones of Arsenal's new vision but until Edu signs a new deal, there's always going to be a little uncertainty over whether there will have to be a change at the top. That being said, the Gunners' manager is optimistic that Edu will be a big part of the project for the foreseeable future.
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"I just hope he stays here for a long time because I think it’s going to be a really positive thing for the club," he told football.london in his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday night's Europa League clash with PSV Eindhoven. "I work with him really well, I think he’s a super important figure at the club who represents all the values and ideas that we want, to do everything in the right way, and hopefully that will be the case."
He added: "There is a lot happening in a football club and he has a huge role and he has a really good way of communicating with people and managing a lot of things that happen daily. For me and for the team he is really important."
Arteta continued by explaining what the pair's relationship is like behind the scenes, whilst he also touched upon how important each and every executive role is at the Emirates.
"It has to build that relationship. It has to be very well respected, the roles have to be very clear, you have to share the same ideas but at the same time you have to be challenged by each other because sometimes coaches we have all the ideas and we want something right now that is not the best thing for the club and we have the right balance, not only with Edu but with Vinai [Venkatesham] and with Rich [Garlick] and with the ownership.
"It’s really important. We make a decision, it’s all together it’s not your decision or my idea. It’s important in good and difficult moments as well to be together."
There's a lot of optimism surrounding the club at the moment and that's largely down to the work the senior team are doing off the field. Edu has played a big part in establishing a feel-good culture and providing the positive results continue on the pitch, supporters will be looking for him to stay long-term.
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