Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping that he can continue to work with technical director Edu in North London for "a long time".
The former Gunners midfielder - who was a prominent member of the 2003-04 Invincibles squad - left his role in the Brazil setup to become Arsenal's first-ever technical director in July 2019.
Edu initially struggled to win favour with the fans in the transfer market, but the 44-year-old oversaw an astute summer of acquisition for Arsenal in the most recent window.
The Gunners' new signings have elevated them to the top of the Premier League table in the 2022-23 season, and interest in Edu's services is supposedly growing.
Arsenal have reportedly begun discussions with Edu over a new contract, and Arteta wants the Premier League title winner to remain in the English capital for years to come.
© Reuters
Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday's Europa League tie with PSV Eindhoven, Arteta said: "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," as quoted by football.london.
"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.
"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 [Richard 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."
© Reuters
Arsenal travel to face PSV at the Philips Stadion having already guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds of the Europa League following their 1-0 win over Ruud van Nistelrooy's side last week.
The Gunners sit five points clear of PSV in first place, and a draw would be enough to clinch top spot and a place in the last-16 of the competition with one game to spare.
As well as long-term absentees Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe, Arteta also confirmed that Brazilian winger Marquinhos is not available for the continental clash due to illness.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was not spotted in training on Wednesday either as he battles his troublesome calf problem, but he will seemingly make the journey with the Gunners to the Netherlands.
The left-back is unlikely to be risked given his layoff, but Arteta will be expected to rotate and hand starts to the likes of Matt Turner, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Eddie Nketiah on Thursday night.
Ben Knapton
