Mikel Arteta has talked up the credentials of interim sporting director Jason Ayto as Arsenal continue their search for Edu’s successor. Ayto had been Edu’s assistant for 18 months before the Brazilian opted to resign earlier this month.

Mikel Arteta says his recent trip to the United States to meet Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke was a ‘positive’ time, as the Gunners continue their search to replace departed sporting director Edu. The Spaniard met with Stan and Josh Kroenke after the game against Chelsea on November 10,

I was wearing a white jumper, and only remember that because I never wear white on a match day out of superstition. But that day, something about it felt right. A new year, a renewal, a new beginning.