Arsenal technical director Edu has proven in recent transfer windows just how valuable he is to the club. The Gunners have endured their fair share of transfer mistakes with club-record signing Nicolas Pepe the obvious one, but under Mikel Arteta smart decisions have been made and the club are reaping those rewards this season.
The acquisitions of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and even Martin Odegaard, after his loan spell, were questioned but their recent summer business was arguably the biggest indication of Arteta's methods being implemented at Emirates Stadium.
Two players Arteta worked with closely at Manchester City were signed by Arsenal in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined total of £77million. Despite Jesus missing the last three months, both have proven to be superb acquisitions.
READ MORE : Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Real Madrid links ahead of Arsenal's clash against Sporting CP
While the former City pair were very much established names, Arsenal have also mastered developing their own talent and bringing in young players from abroad with a high ceiling. William Saliba cost Arsenal roughly £27million and that is proving to a bargain deal with the Frenchman's displays in this campaign.
However, the best example of a brilliant transfer being completed by Arsenal has to be involving Gabriel Martinelli. Signed at 18 for just £6million from Brazilian Serie B side Ituano Martinelli was developed carefully and now three years later he is a crucial part of Arteta's squad.
The 21-year-old also committed his long-term future to the club by penning an extension until 2027, with his form this season making him deserving of a more lucrative contract. Those performances have also impressed former Premier League striker Darren Bent and he has admitted he would rather have Martinelli in his team than Paris-Saint German star Neymar.
"Right now, I’d rather have Martinelli because Neymar is out for the season," Bent told talkSPORT. "But even if he wasn’t, I like our squad now so I’m sticking with Martinelli. Neymar in his pomp is unbelievable, but there are just times where things don’t fit.
"When you look at the games he’s played, he’s played 20, 17, 15, 18, 22 and 20 [matches]. He’s always injured. I know he’s world-class and I’d have him as a squad player but he doesn’t walk into anyone’s starting XI."
READ NEXT:
Arsenal line-ups vs Sporting CP with Gabriel Jesus decision, Nelson starts as Kiwior makes debut
Arsenal guaranteed to avoid dreaded Europa League scenario after key UEFA rule change
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Gabriel Jesus return, Kieran Tierney mood and squad rotation
Arsenal offered risky Premier League title-winning scenario ahead of Liverpool and Man City test
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
