Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful that technical director Edu will stay at the club.

The Gunners have seen a massive improvement in their recruitment process over the past two seasons.

Edu, who was a former player at the club, has been in the technical director post since 2019.

“I just hope he stays here for a long time because I think it's going to be a really positive thing for the club," said Arteta.

“I work with him really well, I think he's a super important figure at the club who represents all the values and ideas that we want, to do everything in the right way, and hopefully that will be the case.

“There is a lot happening in a football club and he has a huge role and he has a really good way of communicating with people and managing a lot of things that happen daily. For me and for the team he is really important.

“It has to build that relationship. It has to be very well respected, the roles have to be very clear, you have to share the same ideas.

“But at the same time you have to be challenged by each other because sometimes coaches we have all the ideas and we want something right now that is not the best thing for the club and we have the right balance, not only with Edu but with Vinai [Venkatesham] and with Rich [Garlick] and with the ownership.

“It's really important. We make a decision, it's all together it's not your decision or my idea. It's important in good and difficult moments as well to be together."