Edu Gaspar has given an emotional tribute to Arsenal -fans after his official exit of the club.
The Brazilian left his role as sports director in November after five and a half years, after he was previously part of the famous 'Invincibles' team as a player
He is generally credited for the excellent work and playing a crucial role in Arsenal's rebuilding under manager Mikel Arteta.
Edu, who was replaced by Andrea Berta last month, was a leave with gardening until this week and he said goodbye to the Gunners.
He posted on Instagram: 'Thank you, Arsenal. Thank you, Gunners!
'With a heart full of gratitude, today I formally close one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life. After five and a half years my journey officially came to the end as a sports director of Arsenal FC.
'I came to the club in July 2019 as a technical director, with the challenge of bringing Arsenal with the mission to bring Arsenal where it belongs to the elite of football, a cultural shift, continues to compete for trophies and qualifying the Champions League the minimum expectation for a club of Arsenal's size. Later I had the honor of becoming the very first sports director in the history of the club, a milestone that I will always wear with great pride.
'And during this process of rebuilding you were the fans an essential part of everything! To the supporters, my most sincere thank you! The support, the energy and the connection that we felt in every match were just special. The emirates became a reinforced version of the old atmosphere of Highbury! Experiencing this next to you is something I will never forget.
'Against our owners, Stan and Josh Koenke, the board, Mikel, the players, the coaching staff, per, clare, all the executive team, the back room staff, everyone who works in the Emirates Stadium, and especially those who welcomed me so hot in the director's box, thanks for these years of collaboration and friendliness!
'It was never easy, but our intense work, united by a real team spirit, gave me fulfilled all those years!
'(If I only share this message now, it is because I have been in garden leave in recent months and, out of respect for the club and everyone involved, I would rather wait until the last official day of my contract to publish this.)
'I wish Arsenal FC the very best and every success, and I also send my warmest wishes to the new sports director Andrea Berta, who now takes on this wonderful role.
“I leave with a peaceful heart and immense pride of what we built together!”
EDU is expected to contain the multi-club operation of Nottingham Forest Evangelos Marinakis, including the Premier League side, Olympiacos and Rio Ave.
He won six trophies with Arsenal during his gaming career, including two Premier League titles – in 2002 and 2004.
As a director, he witnessed one FA Cup triumph and two community shield triumphs.
In each of the last two seasons, the Gunners finished second in the Premier League, after they had placed the eighth, eighth and fifth in the three campaigns earlier.
The men of Arteta seem to miss the title again if they are second, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.
The side of Noord-Londen, however, has a foot in the semi-final of the Champions League after a pounding 3-0 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.
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