Arsenal Invincible Edu is expected to take up the Technical Director position with the Gunners following the Copa America in July.

It may come as a surprise to some supporters, though, that Edu won’t necessarily be coming in to head up the club’s recruitment strategy.

Recent reports have suggested that longtime scout Francis Cagigao will replace Sven Mislintat in the role, with Edu taking up a more supervisory position. That’s not that surprising considering his current job.

The 40-year-old is currently Brazil’s general manager; a position he has held for nearly three years since the appointment of Tite as head coach of the national team in 2016.

With Brazil, the former midfielder has been tasked with arranging friendlies, accommodation and providing support to players and families. In the lead up to the 2018 World Cup, he was praised for his organisational efforts but since then he has come under criticism for failing to stand up to Neymar and his family, as well as his poor selection of friendly games.

To be honest, it’s difficult to ascertain how well he would do in his new role at the Emirates as the responsibilities for the position have not been outlined publicly. He has apparently recommended the signing of Gabriel Martinelli but other than that, it seems Cagigao will be coordinating the signings for this summer, at least.

With Director of Football Raul Sanllehi and head of negotiations Huss Fahmy also likely to be involved in the decision making process, Edu’s appointment could be far less significant than previously believed.

Arsenal were said to be interested in Monchi and Marc Overmars, as well as Andoni Zubizarreta, before approaching Edu. All three are very much cast in a similar mould, with all masterminding their club’s respected recruitment plans but it may be that the Gunners are looking for something slightly different.

The one major concern will be whether the likes of Cagigao, Sanllehi and Edu all have the same vision for the club. If there are significant differences, it could jeopardise the club’s plan to rebuild and get back competing for the Premier League title.

However, if they are all indeed singing from the same hymn sheet, there is certainly enough talent there to develop a long-term plan which could prove hugely beneficial for the club. We will have to wait and see which scenario plays out in the coming months and years.