Arsenal happy to take as long as six months over Edu replacement

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• Jason Ayto to step up during recruitment process
• Mikel Arteta expected to play a key role in appointment

Arsenal intend to take their time over appointing Edu's successor as sporting director, with his deputy, Jason Ayto, set to step up until the recruitment process has been completed.

Mikel Arteta admitted before Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Inter that the Brazilian's departure had taken Arsenal by surprise and "everything happened very quickly". It is understood that Edu – who is expected to join the multi-club network of Nottingham Forest's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, on a reported £5m a year – is beginning a six-month notice period with reduced responsibilities as Arsenal look for a replacement.