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Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has played down rumors linking him to the sporting director role at the Emirates. The club is yet to appoint a replacement for Edu, who vacated the position last week.
The Brazilian initially joined as technical director in 2019 before moving on to the sporting director role in November 2022. Edu was a key ingredient in the Gunners' recent rise under Mikel Arteta.
Speaking to Sky Sport, Gilberto Silva insisted that the north London side will miss his countryman.
“Edu is a very cool guy. I think it was a tough decision for him to leave the club and I wish him the best of luck. He has done a great job for the club and, of course, I think the club will miss him. He made a great partnership with Mikel in order to have a good balance for Arsenal," said Gilberto Silva.
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He continued:
“Honestly, it was a big surprise for me but sometimes it happens and I hope that he’ll be happy with the next challenge and whatever he decides to do.”
However, Gilberto Silva appeared to distance himself from the sporting director role at his former club.
“I still do some work with the club as an ambassador. This is not something I was [thinking about doing] in the next few years, despite the fact that I have done it for Panathinaikos in the past. In the last few years, I have been on a different road in football and with Arsenal," he said.
He continued:
“I don’t know, I don’t know. I have done the preparation for it a few years ago and I have been [approached] by a few clubs in Brazil, but I decided not to take the position. I am not saying right now, but it’s always great to be around Arsenal even as an ambassador.”
Recent reports have suggested that the Gunners have identified Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sporting director Luis Campos as an option for the job.
Will Arsenal sign a striker in 2025?
Arsenal were interested in a new No. 9 over the summer and had zeroed in on Benjamin Sesko for the job. A move failed to materialize, but the Slovenian remains linked with the Gunners.
Sesko will reportedly be allowed to leave RB Leipzig next summer for €70-75m. With Gabriel Jesus failing to impress, the north London side could return for the 21-year-old at the end of this season.
