Morning all.
From Sky Sports. An exclusive interview with Edu.
Arsenal have spent £121.5million on five new players this summer with the arrivals of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner.
How pleased are you with your latest signing Oleksandr Zinchenko?
We are so excited to have Zinchenko with us here because he’s a player that we really targeted. It’s a player that we really believe has the characteristics and the qualities that are going to increase our level in the squad for sure.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says they are still hoping to complete more transfer business before the end of the summer window and expects players to leave as well as join the club.
I think we have to be prepared for every situation. We still feel the transfer window is open and the most important thing is to be prepared for everything, every scenario, because opportunities can happen. Clubs can approach us, players probably want to go on loan, so there’s still lots to do, but again, being prepared for me is the most important [thing] and for sure we are very much prepared for almost everything.
Gabriel Jesus told me you were a big reason for him joining the club – how does that make you feel?
No, it’s not me, it’s Arsenal. I’m just part of the process of when you go in to sign a player, I’m there in front of the player, in front of the family to explain who you are. I think we as a club have to be proud to have a player like Gabriel Jesus here.
Asked whether they had tracked Jesus for a long time:
For sure. This process really, I think, takes like seven months in terms of understanding each other and talking to each other, because also he has a lot of other opportunities and then he chooses because he understands who we are.”
Have you brought in the players you wanted to, despite not qualifying for the Champions League?
Yes, almost 100 per cent of them. I understand sometimes players want to play Champions League football, but I think we can offer something very special for the players as well. It’s not only Champions League, but you can be part of a group of players which can achieve something very special for this football club. And then I always ask them if they want to be part of the project we’ve been building as we’re doing. I’m sure we will do something very special for this football club and then when I explain to the players, they really understand [it] and that’s why they’re here.”
Have you met players that are not right for Arsenal?
Yes, for sure. The reason to meet the players, to meet the families and to talk to the agents is of course they have to understand us, but I also have to understand them. If they fit the model in all senses then okay, we carry on. But when I see something which I’m not really comfortable with, I move on.”
How close were you to signing Raphinha?
People think we went in too deep about Raphinha, because Raphinha was everywhere. It’s fair we did have some conversations with Deco because Deco is his agent and I have a good relationship [with him] – we are friends. I just said to Deco, ‘Can you explain to me the situation with Raphinha?’ and he was clear, ‘Edu, we have a good relationship but I’m not going to lie to you, his idea is to go to Barcelona because he’s dreaming to go to Barcelona, and we’ve been talking to Barcelona since a long time ago’. Okay, thank you very much, if something happens then just let me know because I can explore and understand the situation. If not, no problem and we carry on with our relationship.
In terms of moving players out, it’s not easy is it?
No, but it’s a part of our job to try to create some opportunities for the players. I think the most important thing is to make the player understand why he is here or why he needs to go, and then we have to create some possibilities with the player’s agents and try to find the best solution possible for the player. As soon as you give to them a clear idea of what you want to do, it helps the situation. It’s a challenge because you have to find clubs, situations and loans. But again, if you can be direct to the player in a very respectful way, that helps a little bit to make the best decision.
How important is it that you and Arteta agree on a signing?
One hundred per cent. I’m never ever going to sign a player which Mikel is not comfortable with, never. That’s not my style and for sure it’s not the Arsenal style. If we decide to work together then the decision needs to be together. It’s not Mikel’s signings, it’s not Edu’s signings, it’s the Arsenal signings so that for me is the most important thing for people to understand. I always say people sometimes give the credit to me or to Mikel, but the credit has to go to Arsenal. We are Arsenal, we are working together and the decision we make is together. Around one decision is not only Edu and Mikel, it’s a lot of people around those decisions. The most important message to the fans and for people to understand is that we sign players for Arsenal and [they are] Arsenal’s decisions.
How impressed were you when Arteta interviewed for the job?
Wow. When I spoke to him over the phone to introduce myself and talk to him, funnily enough, we stayed on the phone for one hour talking about everything, not just football but family’s, concepts, ideas and behaviours. When I switched off my telephone I thought that’s maybe something really special and what we are probably looking for the club. Then when we decided to go there and to meet Mikel to talk about the ideas, he was almost prepared for everything. He was really impressive on his ideas, his style and the way he wanted to play so it was amazing – that’s why he’s here.
You were with the owners on Wednesday, how supportive have they been with the spending?
Not only with the spending because it’s unfair to link the owners just with the spending. They are very much important and it is sometimes unfair if people have some doubts about our owners. They are really engaged, they’re really supportive and they’re really present in the club which makes us feel really comfortable.
How forward-thinking are you?
We have a plan really in place, so we are probably in the middle of our project. We need to keep improving the quality in the squad. We have to make important decisions to make our squad better every year, so we have to improve, improve and improve. Here we have to always think about winning. I think the club was born to win things because of the size of this club and that we have to always think about winning. Every single year we have to be better, better and better.”
Looking ahead to the new season, do you want more than top four?
Yeah for sure. I respect and we have to be realistic for these situations, but why not put here that I want to win again. I want to be there again as soon as possible. Why not?”
So what’s your target this season?
With all my respect, even being realistic, I cannot think less than winning things.
What’s your promise to the Arsenal fans with the transfer window still open?
We will keep working really, really hard for them.
What do you make of that then?
I believe him.
So do I.
Interesting interview , perhaps an attempt to rectify some of the misleading media stories and get media on our side.
The Raphinha bit was telling , that conversation should have lasted no more than 5 minutes yet sparked endless headlines and News Now clicks . Just a subtle hint to be wary of what you believe.
Agreed. The media don’t realise the problems they cause by making so much out of nothing. Or perhaps they do. Anything to draw the readers in and stirring up football fans.
Smart move by Edu I think. Especially the bit about who makes the decisions.
I believe him and Arteta 💯💯💯💯💯
It’s a process Rico…
I can see a bit of the David Dein’s in Edu and let’s not forget this is his first time in such a job, he learning on the job and certainly getting better at it.
Thanks for this post Rico because not everyone has Sky so it’s a good job by your good self.
In another interview in The Athletic, Edu talked of a 5 year plan and therefore we’re halfway through it.
Ha ha Kev, it is.
I think we’ve looked good in pre-season and although I know we can’t read too much into it but I think things will be better on the pitch this coming season. Better still if we can get a midfielder through the door.
He also said that had we qualified for Champions League it would have been one year early . So that’s revealed this years target.
Yep, good point.
He also had good things to say about the Kroenke family which will hopefully put to bed the ‘they don’t care’ stuff.
Thanks Kev
Afternoon Rico and all
A good interview with Edu, As a fan all I have been asking for the last few years is. the club to be as honest as they can and I recon the club are now finally understanding what Arsenal mean to the fans. The only thing I disagree with Edu is the part were he sticks up for the owners, prier to the super league attempt I don’t think Kroenke really cared about the fans or the club, and it was all about making money, how ever since Josh has become more involved they seem to be slowly understand what the club means to us fans world wide.
Hi Geoff.
I think the super league was a learning curve for a number of clubs and not just Arsenal. I suspect the intention was good but they just misjudged what the reaction to it would be.
Good morning Rico and all.
We, at last, have straight talking and genuinely sincere Director of Football. He appears to be clear in his thinking and is working to a plan concocted with Artea and, no doubt, Josh Kroenke.
Either that or our PR dept. has upped it’s game to a stratospheric level.
Morning Cicero, I think you got it right first time. He could have said nothing and what he’s said makes sense imo.
You’re getting as cynical as me. 😂
Rico , the Super League has not gone away, it’s currently waiting on the outcome of a legal challenge in Switzerland. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are desperate to find an alternative source of income.
Barcelona have just sold a percentage of their television rights income for the next twenty-five years to an American investment bank. Their current level of debt is astronomical, their planned redevelopment of the Nou Camp is on hold but they are still signing players to long term contracts at unaffordable high wages.
Aren’t Barcelona and the other suspects looking to sue those clubs, like Arsenal, who dropped out of the Super League project?
Rico, my middle name is Cynic, or it would be if it wasn’t something else. 😉
The most important thing at the moment is to keep building the trust between the club, players and fans so we can all move forward as one.
As for the super league depending on the court ruling, I don’t think it is dead and buried yet, I recon it could pop it’s head back up in 5 years time due to the amount of money involved.
I’m sure the super league hasn’t gone away Cicero but I’m not so sure Arsenal will go into it. Nor other EPL who fear a fan backlash as before,
I’ve not read that anywhere Kev. Good luck I say because Barca will need it. Lol
Edu talks a good game. I’d give him 9/10 for the transfers so far. Pretty much all positions are now covered with players that can fill in if needed.
His next job is to shift some of the surplus to requirements. That’s harder. Buying clubs will hold out until the end of the window for a deal. We want decent fees, but we also don’t want players on big wages sitting around moaning to the Press.
Hi Rico. Any holidays planned?
I’m amazed at what is happening at Barcelona. They’re taking a punt on getting a load of expensive players in to try to win the CL. That’s the only way I can see them recouping the money.
The Spanish FA and UEFA are letting them get away with it. There’s a real chance of them going bust. The the finger pointing will start.
Hi Pete, a couple in England, thank goodness. Don’t fancy a short or long stay in an airport. Lol
I read a comment, a quote allegedly, which suggested Pepe has worked hard over the summer and wants to play for us. Mmmm
It’s not all about the Super League. All of Kroenke’s America franchise are having success or are winning championships. For anyone that questions his willingness to win, look at the LA Rams, and that’s a sport with a financial hard-cap. As Edu said, the process involve coach, him and the owner. Arsene, philosophy was he didn’t want to spend exorbitantly on players, for years he spoke about ” financial doping” in football. He was on a personal mission to prove that Chelsea, Man City and MU, Barcelona and Real Madrid were destroying football. So the process was not in line. Kroenke wants to win.
He joined in in the end though with the likes of Aubameyang, Ozil and Lacazette. In my opinion, things at Arsenal changed after the Kroenke family became sole owners.
Rice @ 7:59, but even with those purchases: Aubameyang, Ozil and Lacazette he wasn’t addressing collective needs of the team. He was buying one player a season. Yes they were expensive, but compared with the other “big” teams, who were buying 3 to 4 of the same caliber players a season, the impact was minimal. Yes he was spending to remain somewhat competitive but not to over take Chelsea, MU, City, Liverpool, etc.
Obi, I just meant the spending big on individual players. I know he didn’t address the needs of the squad. Certainly not in the latter years of his career.
That’s exactly why there was such a mess for Edu and Arteta to sort out. Older players, massive contracts, unbalanced squad, players who weren’t either good enough or had “issues” – still, it’s history now thankfully.
American ‘keeper Kaylan Marckese has joined Arsenal on a permanent deal from Denmark side HB Koge.
The womens squad though Cicero. Lol
New post up now