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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Arsenal legend Ian Wright claims agents are ‘banging on the door’ to get the club to sign their players

Agents are “banging on the door” to get Arsenal interested in their players due to the club’s turnaround under Mikel Arteta and Edu.

That is the view of club legend Ian Wright, who has detailed conversations with the Gunners bosses that underlined his enthusiasm for the direction Arsenal are travelling in.

He told Wrighty’s House Podcast: “I remember going to the training ground. I had a meeting with Edu and Mikel. We were just talking about the way Arsenal are now building with the young players and the excitement of what’s going on with a young manager.

“Remember how much [criticism] Edu was taking because he has come from Brazil, and doesn’t even know this job, then you look at the windows they have been involved in and the players they have brought in.

“How the team got themselves somewhere, but they just couldn't quite see it off. They are ready. What they said to me was that agents and people out there are looking at Arsenal and liking what they are doing.

“I believe if we did get into the Champions League, then we would have signed an even higher calibre of players. What they are saying is that Edu doesn't have to go to people and try to convince them by saying, ‘Arsenal are going to do this, and Arsenal are going to do that’.

“They can see it now, so agents want to put their players in Arsenal now because they know it's a progressive, big club, and it's on its way back. Your player can come here and make a massive difference, so they have people banging on the door.”

Gabriel Jesus is the latest signing of a busy start to the summer transfer window for the Gunners, although Wright has admitted that rivals Tottenham look “frightening” following their deals.

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