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Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal’s search for a new sporting director will have no bearing on their transfer and claims that Edu’s permanent successor could come from within the club.
Arsenal are in the hunt for Edu’s replacement following the Brazilian’s sudden resignation last month.
Jason Ayto – who has been at Arsenal for a decade, first as a scout before rising through the ranks to become Edu’s right-hand man – has taken over the role on an interim basis.
But the shock of Dan Ashworth coming out Manchester United has seen him linked with a move to north London before the transfer window opens in just 19 days.
Speak before his side Premier League Ahead of the clash against Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, Arteta was asked if the lack of a full-time sporting director could pose a transfer problem for the club.
“We have one,” he replied. “Jason Ayto is our interim athletic director. It currently has full capacity and the support of the football club. 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 too busy, but we have to wait and see where we are. There may also be some opportunities. Hopefully team availability 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 confident that we have the right person who can work in the right team who are doing a great job at the moment.
“(There has to be) someone who will take us to the next level. We may have it internally. As for the time, it is difficult to understand. I don’t lead the process so it’s more up to the club to answer.”
Arteta’s hand in the transfer market could be forced as Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are currently sidelined.
Jurrien Timber was fit enough to make the bench in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Monaco in the Champions League. Gabriel has also been absent for the past three matches, but has returned to training and is expected to be available.
Teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, made his full Champions League debut at the Emirates and is in line to secure his first Premier League start.
Arteta added: “He certainly deserves to be in contention to be selected because he performed and competed really well. At his age, to show that maturity and personality is strange. It’s the same off the field.
“He is a person who constantly surprises all employees with the questions he is able to ask. That tells you that Myles is a really bright boy.
“He was surrounded by very senior players, very experienced players. We believed it was the right context in which he could help the team win the game and he certainly did.”