Arsenal: William Saliba’s future, a new star No9 and the huge task facing Edu replacement | OneFootball

There is no doubt losing Edu is a blow and whoever succeeds him has a big job on their hands

When Mikel Arteta sits down on Tuesday night to speak to the assembled media at the San Siro Stadium, one topic will dominate the agenda.

It will not be how Arsenal’s patchy form has dented their title bid, Martin Odegaard’s impending return or a blockbuster Champions League showdown with Inter Milan.

Instead, Arteta can expect plenty of questions about how he and the club will react to sporting director Edu resigning on Monday.

It is currently unclear what Edu’s notice period is or what compensation Arsenal would be due when he takes up work elsewhere, but what is clear is that whoever replaces him will have a big job on their hands.

Come next summer, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel and William Saliba will all have two years left on their contracts. Gabriel Martinelli will too, although his deal is understood to contain the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

Real Madrid target William Saliba will have just two years left on his contract in the summer

Getty Images

Arsenal and Edu worked hard to tie down their core players in recent years, but next summer will be a vital time for the futures of Gabriel, Saka and Saliba.

When players have two years left on their deals that is when clubs like to get them to sign fresh terms, instead of running the risk of them going into the final 12 months of their contracts.

Saliba has already been linked with Real Madrid, while Gabriel has continually attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia. Saka would, naturally, have his pick of clubs around Europe if clubs ever thought he was open to leaving.

Arsenal face a big transfer window next summer, even before those contractual situations.

The need for at least one marquee forward is clear, especially after they failed in their pursuits of Benjamin Sesko and Nico Williams in the most recent window. Arsenal have lacked creativity at times this season and there is a need for more firepower in attack.

Edu is leaving to take up a role with the network of clubs controlled by the Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis

AFP via Getty Images

If their current struggles continue, there is an argument that the Gunners should accelerate those plans and add a forward in January.

It could be a pivotal month and the chance for Arsenal to inject their squad with some fresh blood as they bid to fight for the Champions League and Premier League.

That is quite the in-tray for whoever replaces Edu, but Arsenal will point to the fact their model is not based on the exploits of one man.

Executive vice-chair Tim Lewis and managing director Richard Garlick will provide stability and expertise. Jason Ayto, assistant sporting director, and James Ellis, head of recruitment, are also key cogs in a machine that has proved incredibly slick in recent years. James King starts work this month as Arsenal’s new director of football operations.

Arsenal also plan in advance for transfer windows, sometimes as far as two windows ahead, and groundwork will have already been done on future deals.

Edu, however, would have been a key part of those plans and there is no escaping the fact losing him now is a big blow.

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