Arteta favourite makes huge step towards replacing Edu at Arsenal

Suraj Radia

14 Nov 2024 18:00 GMT
3 min read

Arsenal have been boosted in their pursuit of a new sporting director after it was revealed one of their top targets would be leaving his club at the end of the season.

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The Gunners have begun their search for a successor to Edu Gaspar, who is being lined up by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis in a recruitment role for his conglomerate of clubs.

Arsenal are believed to be considering a number of names for the position including Monaco director of football Thiago Scuro, while former Gunners midfielder Tomas Rosicky is also thought to be a contender.

Although Arsenal are keen on announcing a successor to Gaspar as quickly as possible, executives currently in work may be required to serve a notice period before any appointment.

Therefore, the news that Real Sociedad director Roberto Olabe will be stepping down from his role at the end of the season could prove an intriguing prospect for Arsenal.

Olabe is believed to be on Arsenal’s shortlist and the Basque executive has strong links to Mikel Arteta, having signed the midfielder for Sociedad back in 2004.

🚨 EXCL: Real Sociedad director of football Roberto Olabe to exit role in June 2025. Led #RealSociedad rise + player trading/development (Isak, Odegaard, Merino, Zubimendi etc). No job agreed but viewed among best around so will be in demand @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/eOuYDjMz8E

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 13, 2024

Arsenal could wait to hire Olabe

Olabe is not known to have another job lined up but the 57-year-old has earned rave reviews for his time at Sociedad, having been at the helm since 2018.

Under Olabe’s reign, Sociedad have enjoyed their most successful spell of the century while also providing transfer success stories in Alexander Isak, Robin Le Normand and Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino.

Olabe’s deal was due to run until 2026, making his departure more curious, and many clubs other than Arsenal are likely to have the Spaniard on their radar.

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While Arsenal could negotiate a compensation package to hire someone like Olabe or Scuro immediately, the Premier League side may also choose to operate with their current set up in the interim.

Arteta is likely to oversee any potential deals in January, such is the manager’s growing power at the Emirates stadium, as the club continues to home in on its ideal successor to Gaspar.