Edu exit must be first check on Mikel Arteta's power at Arsenal

Edu's abrupt resignation doesn't need to be a seismic shock at Arsenal, nor should it be a minor blip for the status quo. Instead, it should be the first check on the so-far unchecked power of manager Mikel Arteta.

Edu officially upped sticks on Monday 4 November, but the true parameters of his influence at Arsenal were always difficult to define. As The Athletic's David Ornstein noted, the charter member of 'The Invincibles' went from "Arsenal’s first-ever technical director in the summer of 2019," to "Arsenal’s first-ever sporting director in November 2022."

This was more than Sam 'Ace' Rothstein switching to Food and Beverage chairman to stay in charge (those who know...). Edu often appeared less an architect and kingmaker and more the Gunners' own Phillip Green (again, those who know).

That much was clear when the club publicly undercut Edu, by literally relegating him to the edge of the frame, for the announcement Arteta's title had changed from head coach to first-team manager.

Arsenal made the switch in early September 2020, and Edu's authority was instantly reduced. He became a mere willing participant in the manager's single-minded way of doing things.

A good example was the decision to dump Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at a loss. The Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman revealed Edu had his doubts, but he deferred to what the manager wanted because "I absolutely have to back him."

Edu has never had a firm hand on the tiller because the controls have belonged to Arteta. The latter has fronted every phase of Arsenal's "project". That's how things have been presented, but it hasn't been mere spin.

Arteta isn't the face of the project. He's its chief engineer. Every tactical tweak, every personnel decision and every change of tact have been Arteta's creations.

He's enjoyed a level of power Arsenal was supposed to have dispensed with when Arsene Wenger was clumsily, and perhaps unwillingly, forced through the exit door at Emirates Stadium in 2018. That's why there should be some nerves about Matt Law and John Percy of The Telegraph reporting Arteta will "have a major say in how Arsenal replace Edu."

Next sporting director should cast a critical eye over Arteta

There's something off about Arteta getting a big say in who essentially oversees his management of the squad. Something Ornstein hinted at during an episode of The Athletic FC Podcast back in April, when he revealed, "As he's grown in power at that club it's not easy to question him, internally."

It's not a stretch to believe Arteta is in a priviledged position. His close ties to Josh Kroenke are well known.

Nor is it a stretch to believe Edu might be falling on the sword for perceived failures in the transfer market (even those not of his making). After all, Arsenal handed Arteta a new deal in the summer, but have somehow been blindsided by Edu's plans for the future.

Calamity or a clear choice of Arteta over Edu? You decide, but I know where my money would go.

Arsenal want continuity and as little friction as possible among the main team-builders, but Arteta is no longer a fresh-faced novice needing a unified platform to assist his efforts. The Gunners boss is now a seasoned gaffer tainted by a few setbacks. He's a whisker away from a fifth anniversary in the job, so Arteta needs oversight, not indulgence.

The 42-year-old has gotten everything he's wanted so far. Including time and a seemingly endless pile of cash to spend and correct mistakes.

Thomas Partey didn't become the midfield talisman, so Arsenal dropped £105m on Declan Rice. Arteta always wanted David Raya between the sticks, so Aaron Ramsdale, a £30m stop-gap, was nudged out of the picture.

When the Arsenal boss wanted a reunion with Manchester City old boys Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, Edu helped swing the deals. After it turned out Jesus is no No. 9, Arteta got Kai Havertz, even if he initially wanted the German to play in midfield. Anorher do-over for the project.

Once Arteta decided Zinchenko might not be the answer, he got Riccardo Calafiori. Mikel Merino is the manager's chosen Partey part deux.

Edu might have rubber-stamped those moves, but they were never his. Arteta set the course, but that course has so far yielded an FA Cup won as an interim, to go with four trophy-less full seasons and a distinctly average start to this campaign.

Arsenal can no longer afford to offer Arteta the protection of process. He's entering must-win-now territory, so more oversight is needed. Oversight of the manager's attitude toward squad building, particularly the rigid fidelity to function over flair. Oversight of Arteta's reluctance to rotate. Oversight of expensive transfer mistakes.

Edu's exit is an opportunity to add the first genuine scrutiny of Arteta's performance. Some internal constructive criticism to form an honest appraisal of Arsenal's progress.

Without those things, the club risks being left at the mercy of a deeply entrenched manager operating with blinders. That would represent quite the ironic full circle for those of the Wenger Out mob who spent years championing a so-called more modern and accountable managerial structure.

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