Arsenal chief Edu is LEAVING after crisis talks with club hierarchy in major blow to Mikel Arteta

MIKEL ARTETA has been dealt a major blow with close ally and Arsenal chief Edu Gaspar set to QUIT the club.

The highly-rated sporting director has helped transform the Gunners from has-beens into title contenders.

PA

Mikel Arteta has been dealt a blow with Edu Gaspar set to quit Arsenal[/caption]

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The Brazilian has been behind Arsenal’s brilliant recent signings[/caption]

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Arsenal have become title challengers under Edu’s watch[/caption]

But Edu’s time at the Emirates is coming to an end.

He has been in talks with the club’s hierarchy after a reshuffle of key positions.

And although his reasons remain unclear, Edu has decided to walk away from his backroom role.

SunSport understands he is in line to take up a new role in charge of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ stable of clubs, which also include Olymipiacos in Greece and Rio Ave in Portugal.

A similar position has been taken up by Jurgen Klopp with Red Bull, with the ex-Liverpool boss now their Global Head of Soccer.

And Edu could TRIPLE his current Arsenal salary by becoming Marinakis’ go-to man at the head of his football empire.

A former two-time title winner and Arsenal Invincibles champion, Edu returned to the club in 2019 – initially as technical director – before helping Arteta clear the decks.

Big names like captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil were shown the door.

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While new fan favourites including Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Declan Rice have been signed during his tenure.

As a result, Arsenal have finished the last two seasons as runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Edu’s exit comes on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Gunners’ next match comes on Wednesday in the Champions League against Inter Milan.

And boss Arteta will face questions over Edu’s exit at tomorrow’s press conference.

Fans reacted quickly online to the news of his departure.

One said: “The downfall of Arsenal begins.”

Another declared: “I hate changes like this.”

One noted: “Heads starting to roll at Arsenal.”

Another added: “Arteta could be the next to go.”