Edu says he will not hold any further talks with Arsenal until after this summer's Copa America with the Gunners keen to make their former midfielder the technical director.
The 40-year-old is currently technical director of the Brazil national team, who host the Copa America between June 14 and July 7.
Edu emerged as Arsenal's first-choice candidate for the job vacancy after Monchi turned them down to return to his former club Sevilla. Even prior to that decision in March the Gunners had identified the Invincibles-era midfielder as an executive they hoped to bring back to the club.
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However at the time it appeared impossible to draw Edu away from Brazil and even now he is insistent that no decision will be made until Brazil's involvement in their summer tournament is over.
"I had a conversation with Arsenal. There's an interest," he told Brazilian TV show NO AR.
"I was very clear: 'I am 100% focused on the Copa America. I'm not speaking about absolutely anything because of the Copa America.
"If, by any chance, you [Arsenal] want to speak to me after the Copa, propose something after the Copa, I will make myself available so that we can talk. As for now, I am fully focused on the Copa."
Though Arsenal had initially hoped to have a technical director, whose responsibilities would be around signings and setting a footballing philosophy across the club, in place before the start of the transfer window that became a harder task to manage after Monchi withdrew from contention and the Gunners feel they are prepared to carry out their summer business without anyone in this position.
Between 2001 and 2005 Edu made 127 appearances for Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
As football.london reported last week, the arrival of a technical director, be it Edu or an alternative option, is expected to see Francis Cagigao take on the head of recruitment role he has fulfilled on an interim basis since Sven Mislintat's departure.
Edu has no prior experience as a director of football in European football, having previously fulfilled the role for Brazilian giants Corinthians before joining the national team.
Following his transition from the pitch to a role behind the scenes, he took to insisting on being called Edu Gaspar, as per Squawka, underlining the seriousness with which he has approached his second career in football.
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