Edu successor, Isak bid - Arsenal January transfer plans impact after sporting director exit

The ramifications of Edu's departure as Arsenal sporting director look set to be felt over the coming months. On Monday, it was confirmed in a club statement that he had resigned from his role at the Gunners, though he will not be departing with immediate effect.

Ahead of the Champions League clash against Inter Milan, just over 24 hours on from his exit being confirmed, Mikel Arteta gave his thoughts. “I think we both had this special chemistry working together, we really both enjoyed our roles and working together,” he said when asked about Edu's departure in Milan on Tuesday evening.

“I'm very blessed that he's been part of my life in such a beautiful place that I am right now, managing this incredible club and he's been a massive part of that. He's had an amazing opportunity now to do something else in a different role and he believes that it's the right professional move for him.

“We have to respect that and from the bottom of my heart I think everybody really feels that we want the best for him and that's it.” In terms of the immediate future, Edu will serve a six-month period of gardening leave with the Brazilian already out of several Arsenal WhatsApp groups that discuss transfers and player fitness.

He was however, given an emotional goodbye at London Colney, by the playing squad on Thursday. As for Arsenal's plans over the next few months, Jason Ayto will step up to fill the role on an interim basis while managing director Richard Garlick and executive vice-chair Tim Lewis, along with some input from Arteta, lead a thorough process to identify a permanent successor.

It is likely the January transfer window will be navigated without a final decision on the club's next sporting director being made. As for exactly what the Gunners will be aiming to do, it is thought they plan to be reactive rather than proactive.

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Based on that, submitting winter bids for the likes of Alexander Isak, Leroy Sane or Viktor Gyokeres, who have all been linked to Arsenal, appears highly unlikely. A unique market opportunity is likely to intrigue Arsenal however, with it plausible that is the absolute focus.