Two former Arsenal favourites emerge as contenders to replace Edu as sporting director after shock exit announcement

After Edu's shock resignation earlier this week, Arsenal have emphasised the importance of targeting ex-Gunners players to replace for the former 'Invincible', and two names from their recent history have emerged as top candidates for the job.

According to Foot Mercato, both Rosicky and Mertesacker featured on the pitch for Arsenal in the 2010s, with Rosicky serving from 2006-2016, while Mertesacker was on the Gunners' books from 2011-2018. With nearly 500 appearances for the club between them, both were popular figures with fans, with Mertesacker even captaining the side for two years from 2016.

While the German has no previous experience as a sporting director, Rosicky boasts six years of service in the same job at boyhood club Sparta Prague, putting him in pole position for the vacant Arsenal role.

It is said that both former players are 'highly appreciated' by club officials, and an announcement on Edu's successor is expected in the next couple of weeks.

In a statement released following Edu's departure from his role at the Gunners, Arsenal officials said: "We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart."

Arsenal continue their Premier League journey as they prepare for life without Edu, travelling across London to face an in-form Chelsea, who thrashed Armenian side Noah 8-0 in the Conference League in midweek. The Gunners are coming off the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Inter in the Champions League - a game in which they were dominant but punished for failing to create clear-cut chances.

They will be hoping to rectify their midweek mistakes during their visit to Stamford Bridge at 4.30pm on Sunday.