Edu has been heavily criticised in the past for his transfer market activity as Arsenal’s technical director since taking over in 2019. However, he is beginning to show why he has been incredibly important to the Gunners’ rebuild.
The current summer transfer window has epitomised the successful job Edu has carried out to ensure Arsenal remains at the top in the years that are to follow. While rival Premier League clubs continue to franticly panic buy to improve their team before the end of the window, Edu has already undertaken the necessary ground to ensure this is not the case for the north London side.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Newcastle have agreed to a deal to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad, with Spanish reports quoting a deal to cost €75million Euros (£63million), which includes add-ons. The Sweden international had also previously been linked with a move to Arsenal.
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Edu's successful job has been highlighted by Newcastle’s decision to risk spending heavily Isak before the end of the transfer window. Arsenal had already signed Gabriel Jesus before the start of the pre-season which has benefited the Gunners.
He currently plays for Real Sociedad and has scored 42 goals in 124 appearances for the La Liga side, showing plenty of promise along the way. But it would be risky to bring him in for such a high price, seeing as though he is yet to experience Champions League football or compete for the biggest trophies.
The Gunners were heavily linked to the 22-year-old towards the end of the last January transfer window, but a deal never managed to materialise due to concerns over his £75 million release clause, The Athletic reported.
Instead of risking spending heavily on a potential deal as Newcastle have done, Edu searched for the perfect alternative in Jesus. A £45m fee is looking like an absolute bargain judging the 25-year-old’s start to life as a Gunner.
So far in the Premier League this season, according to Squawka, Jesus has the highest xG in the division alongside the most goals and assists, the most touches in the opposition box, and the most take-ons completed. The Brazilian has been completely dominant in his opening matches as an Arsenal player.
However, the statistic that gives him the keys to becoming an iconic Premier League striker is the fact that he ranks fifth in Premier League history for goal involvement per minute without a penalty. Jesus contributes to a goal every 107.6 minutes via Orbinho.
Only Thierry Henry, Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah, and Luiz Suarez rank higher than the new Arsenal striker, which highlights that he is in very good company.
Not only does he have valuable Premier League experience, but he has also elevated the Arsenal team and has started the season excellently for Arteta’s side without the need of an adaptation period which will likely be needed for Isak, and this shows that Edu was correct to save £20million on a deal to sign Jesus instead of the Swedish striker.
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