Edu was also heavily involved in bringing Arteta in as Arsenal manager in 2019, with the club going on to win the FA Cup at the end of his first season in charge.

“From day one, we’ve been together and I’m very grateful personally for everything he’s done for me and the amazing work he’s done for the football club,” Arteta added.

“We both had this special chemistry working together.

“I’m very blessed that he’s been part of my life in such a beautiful place, managing this incredible club. He’s been a massive part of that.

“He’s had an amazing opportunity now to do something else in a different role. He believes that’s the right professional move for him. We have to respect that. From that bottom of my heart, I think everybody feels that we want the best for him.”

Edu’s departure comes on the back of Arsenal losing two of their past three Premier League games, drawing the other, to fall seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

However, they go into their Champions League match at Inter Milan unbeaten in the competition, with two wins from their opening three matches.

“With everything that we’ve been through these last four or five years – what a great place we are in,” Arteta said.

“There have been problems of all kinds at this football club for many years but we are in an incredible moment right now. We are blessed to be where we are.”