Arsenal are enjoying one of their best seasons in recent memory, with Edu Gaspar’s signings a good reason being the Gunners’ campaign this term, and a new contract could now be in the works for the Brazilian.
According to the Daily Mail, talks have begun behind the scenes at Arsenal over handing Edu a new contract, with the technical director playing an influential role alongside Mikel Arteta in rebuilding the north London club into the Premier League title contenders they are today.
Appointed in 2019, Edu has been huge in constructing the current Arsenal squad as well as gutting the majority of the deadwood that has lingered at the club during the Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery days, with the Brazilian also largely undoing the work laid out by former transfer chiefs Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi.
However, Edu’s transfers have been largely the reason why Arsenal find themselves where they are today and why the Gunners are keen for the 44-year-old to sign a new contract, and with that in mind, here are the five best transfers the Brazilian has made since his appointment three years ago.
Aaron Ramsdale
Eyebrows were raised by many last year when Arsenal made the decision to spend close to £30m on Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, with Bernd Leno, at the time, the established number one for the Gunners and a shot-stopper many considered to be one of the best in the country.
Fast-forward to now, and the risk has paid off hugely, with Ramsdale now himself one of the best keepers in the Premier League and the likely successor for Jordan Pickford for England, with the Arsenal star a fan favourite and a keeper who could realistically play for the Gunners for the next decade.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Arsenal stole headlines in 2020 when they pipped both Everton and Napoli to the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes, and the Brazilian from LOSC Lille has been nothing short of solid since arriving from France, with the defender last week penning a new long-term contract with Arsenal.
Whilst the centre-back does have his flaws, Gabriel has remained a staple for Arsenal ever since arriving two years ago on Edu’s watch, and at just 24-years-old, the defender can only get better from here as a key member of Arteta’s young central core.
William Saliba
William Saliba’s time at Arsenal has been as dramatic as it has been incredible. Signed all the way back in 2019 for £27m from Saint-Etienne, it would take three loan spells and plenty of headlines before the defender would even kick a ball for the Gunners. However, Edu and Arteta’s project has been worth it.
The centre-back has been nothing short of a revelation for Arsenal this season, with Saliba arguably one of the best defenders in the Premier League and certainly the best in his age group. And if the youngster can sign a long-term contract, the Gunners will have a generational talent on their hands for many years to come.
Martin Odegaard
The January transfer window of 2021 was headlined from an Arsenal perspective by one player in Martin Odegaard, with Edu and Arteta pulling off quite the masterclass in signing the Real Madrid playmaker on loan following the departure of Mesut Ozil. And six months later, the transfer was made permanent, and what a deal it has been.
Now captain of Arsenal, the 23-year-old has been an ever-present for the north London side and added quite the creative spark for the Gunners. And as one of the youngest skippers in the Premier League, Odegaard has the potential to become an icon at the Emirates Stadium if he continues to flourish.
Gabriel Martinelli
If you were to ask any Arsenal fan what transfer has been Edu’s best, it will be hard to find a supporter who doesn’t name Gabriel Martinelli, who was the first player the Brazilian signed for the Gunners following his return to the club as technical director.
Signed for a £6m from fourth-tier Brazilian side Ituano, the Sao Paulo wonderkid is one of the most exciting attacking talents in all of Europe, and this season, alongside Bukayo Saka, Martinelli has formed one of the deadliest forward trios, with Gabriel Jesus spearing the frontline.
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