"We want to find the right person" - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opens up on search for new club director following Edu's exit
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opened up about the club's search for a new director of football following the departure of Edu Gaspar. The Brazilian had been at the north London club as a technical director from 2019 before taking the sporting director role in 2022.
Edu was involved in some of the best business at the club during his years with Mikel Arteta, bringing stars like David Raya, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Leandro Trossard to the club on superb deals.
Mikel Arteta discussed the search to bring in a replacement for the departed Brazilian, saying (via Fabrizio Romano):
"I'm going to be very much involved in that process. We want to find the right person first of all and the right person has to be someone who is able to co-operate and make each other better and take us to a different level."
As per Sky Sports, the north London outfit are considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain football advisor Luis Campos as Edu's replacement.
"Ben is gonna be out for months, unfortunately" - Mikel Arteta gives injury update on Arsenal star
The Arsenal manager recently provided an injury update on Ben White's situation following a recent injury setback. The Englishman has been ruled out for an extended period due to a knee injury.
White joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 for a reported €58.5 million and he has gone on to feature 146 times for the north London side. The Spanish manager gave an update on the defender's situation, saying (via Football.london):
"Ben is gonna be out for months, unfortunately. It's been different kinds of struggles. It's never been the same thing. We had to make a decision. It's not been improving in the last few weeks, unfortunately."
"We know that Ben is going to push every boundary but it got to a point where we have to protect the player and we decided to do the surgery. He agreed with that and unfortunately, that's going to keep him out for a few months."
Pressed for a timeline for White's return, Arteta said:
"I don't know at the moment. We have to see how he reacts post-surgery. I don't expect him to be half a year, but I cannot tell you exactly."
Mikel Arteta will have to make do without the defender on the team in the foreseeable future. Arsenal faces Nottingham Forest today (November 23) and will be keen to return to winning ways after failing to register a win in their last four league outings.
