'Next level' - Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal sporting director admission amid Dan Ashworth talk

Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal’s search for a new sporting director will have no impact on their transfer business and claimed Edu’s permanent successor could come from inside the club.

Arsenal are on the look-out for Edu’s replacement following the Brazilian’s sudden resignation last month, with the 46-year-old expected to assume a role with Nottingham Forest working under owner Evangelos Marinakis

Jason Ayto – who has been at Arsenal for a decade, first as a scout, before working his way up the ladder to become Edu’s right-hand man – has assumed the post on an interim basis.

But Dan Ashworth’s shock exit from Manchester United has seen him linked with a move to north London ahead of the transfer window opening in just 19 days.

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Ashworth left United via mutual consent following last Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, just five months after joining the club from Newcastle United, after a poor start to the season and question marks over their recruitment.

Arsenal's managing director Richard Garlick worked with Ashworth at West Bromwich Albion and despite how his time at United panned out, his stock remains high after successful spells working with the English FA and Brighton and Hove Albion.

Speaking prior to his side’s Premier League clash against Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, Arteta was asked if not having a permanent sporting director in place could pose a problem for the club’s transfer dealings.

“We have one,” he replied. “Jason Ayto is our interim sporting director. He has got the full capacity and support of the football club right now. He is doing really well with his team. The process is open, as you know. And the club, with the support of all of us, will decide who is the best person to move us forward.

“I never expect January to be super busy, but we have to wait and see where we are. There might be some opportunities, too. Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see.”

Asked if he would like the situation resolved before the end of the season, Arteta continued: “Yes, but when we are convinced that we have the right person who can work the right team who are doing a great job at the moment.

“(It needs to be) someone who is going to take us to the next level. We might have him internally. Timing wise it’s hard to understand. I’m not running the process so it’s more for the club to respond.”