Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar has stated that he’s expecting big things from the Gunners, this season, in an exclusive interview with The Athletic.
The North Londoners have enjoyed a free-spending summer thus far, committing £121.5 million of their funds on new additions.
With the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko all starring throughout a successful pre-season campaign for Mikel Arteta’s men, optimism has risen steadily around the Emirates Stadium.
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At the heart of the operation is Edu, who’s been peeling back the curtains and offering an insight into the world of transfers and squad management with the North Londoners.
After three years in the role, the ex-Arsenal player man has stuck his neck out to predict a major campaign ahead for the club, as he revisited the changes made since joining in 2019 and launching his “five-year plan”.
“With all due respect, the plan started really when we decided to change Unai Emery (in November 2019),” Edu recalled,
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“The idea behind it was to have a coach with a very clear idea. A very clear plan: very clear structure, how he wants to play - from that we’re going to build something together.
“If you have a coach and it’s difficult to read how he plays, it makes our life super complicated.
“When I met Mikel, I went to his house and we had a great relationship straight away: conversation, ideas, etc.
“Then I see: this guy has a plan - the style, players, characteristics…He has a very clear idea how he wants to play football, which again helps us to make decisions.
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“I gave the club a five-year plan. I said to Mikel and to the board: ‘Guys, 2022/23 will be the season we’re going to be much better.
“We have to be patient. We need good decisions, we need to be brave. We’re going to (face) some difficult moments with players, agents etc. But that’s the plan’.”
Edu sees Arteta as central to the project at hand, with the Brazilian’s recommendation said to have been key at the time of the Spaniard’s most recent contract renewal back in April 2022.
The rationale behind the new deal was to promote the club’s current vision and enhance stability, as Arsenal eyed key additions over the summer period.
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“I was an important part of the process,” Edu revealed. “We had discussions where we said, ‘OK, now we’re going to face a transfer window.'
“If you want to be a club like Arsenal and for people to see us as very organised, well-planned, our manager has to be renewed.
“Because the agents and the players can say, ‘OK, what’s happening there? One year? Six months? A three-year contract?’
“We say, ‘No, no, no - he’s our coach, he’s our manager and he’s going to be here with us for a minimum of three years more.
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“That’s how to avoid any doubts when you’re going to sign a player.”
Arteta’s new terms may well have proved pivotal in two of Arsenal’s signings, as they beat away competition from Chelsea to land Manchester City’s Jesus before adding Zinchenko, also formerly coached by the current Gunners boss, to the mix.
The business may not end there for the North Londoners, who, for now, have outgoings firmly on the agenda.
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Transfers, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko