Why Edu Pays Certain Players To Leave Arsenal

Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar has spoken out on the club’s struggles to sell out-of-favour players, revealing that he’s prepared to pay to see the back of unwanted options.

The Brazilian was confronted with the topic in an exclusive interview with The Athletic, as the former Arsenal player delved into his role at the club since joining the hierarchy in 2019.

Just as the Gunners prepare to shift a number of players out of the club in an already busy transfer window, Edu has stated that he’s ready to let players walk for free, as he discussed the challenges faced at the North London outfit.

“There are three elements which in my role I have to be really prepared to be strong on the message to the players,” Edu said.

“When the player is 26-plus, [on a] big salary and he’s not performing?

“He’s killing you, that kind of player.

“Because you don’t have a valuation to sell the player, the player is comfortable - Arsenal, London, beautiful, everything is fantastic - and has a good salary.

“How do you move this player?

“If you imagine: ‘Oh, no problem. This season, we’re going to expose the player a little bit more and then sell them’ - no, be realistic.

“Try to avoid one more year with the problem inside the dressing room, not performing…take it out. 

“Even, I’m sorry, if you have to pay. To leave is better, because that guy is sometimes also blocking someone.

“Sometimes people say, ‘it’s expensive’. I say, ‘No, it’s an investment.’”

The Gunners have been consistent in the past with their methods, as the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Özil, and Willian, among others, all walked away from the club on free transfers, despite being under contract with the club.

Since Edu’s return to the club, only Alex Iwobi, Joe Willock and Emiliano Martinez have been sold for more than £15 million, which has served as a form of criticism towards the Brazilian’s ways.

The 44-year-old is quick to point out just how much better the squad of today appears to be, however, as he eyes a big season for Mikel Arteta and his men.

“How many players with that kind of characteristics did we have in the past? Eighty per-cent of the squad.

“Tell me how many players in the squad we have with those [negative] characteristics today,” Edu outlined.

“Next summer, have a look at the valuation of the players we have, the age of the group that we have and the salaries that we have today.

“Now, as part of the plan, we create value in our players today.”