Edu is set to defy the critics and put new £3million signing Marquinhos on the same path as William Saliba.
The Arsenal technical director, who runs the rule over ins and outs at the Emirates, has received flack alongside manager Mikel Arteta for loaning out Saliba for the past three seasons since his £25.4million move from French side St Etienne in the summer of 2019. But after the centre-back picked up the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award following a spectacular spell with Marseille last season, it seems as if the decision to delay Saliba's introduction to the Arsenal first-team has paid off.
Now Edu will aim do the same for Marquinhos, who joined from Brazilian giants Sao Paulo in June. The 19-year-old winger has featured in two friendlies during the Gunners' promising pre-season run but is comfortably on the fringes of Arteta's budding squad.
Showing flashes on brilliance during his cameos, Marquinhos could be sent out on loan this term in order to gain the necessary experience to eventually take the Premier League by storm, and Edu's latest comments certainly suggest that he's one for the future.
"We have to be careful. Marquinhos is part of a long-term project, he needs to adapt and enter into this process," the Emirates chief explained to TNT Sports. "We have to be calm, I told him and his family that we have to protect him. We'll take care of Marquinhos."
Edu's words are similar to those used by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery after Saliba signed and immediately rejoined St Etienne on a season-long loan. "We're delighted William is joining us," the Spaniard, whose rollercoaster reign as manager came to an end five months after the transfer, said at the time.
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"Many teams wanted him but he decided he wanted to come to us and be part of our future. He will stay in France next season for more experience and then we look forward to him joining our group."
Marquinhos will now be hoping to follow in Saliba's footsteps when it comes to how highly regarded the 21-year-old defender is these days. Arteta has big plans for Saliba, who's hoping to travel to the World Cup with France later this year. "I am really pleased to see the way he is playing," the Gunners boss declared after his side thrashed London rivals Chelsea 4-0, as Saliba played 90 minutes.
"The way he has adapted to the team, the maturity that he's shown at 21 years old, carry on doing it. We will keep developing him, he has huge potential, he is already a top player and we have to make him even better. He looked ready to me today."
