The Arsenal fanbase seem to simultaneously exist in two alternate dimensions. There is the upbeat, supportive realm that has created some of the most joyous scenes in Emirates Stadium history this season, and the dark, murky Upside Down brimming with social media bile. The void between the two is always at its thinnest during transfer windows, and this January there were a set of deals to burst the Mothergate wide open.
The Gunners had been in talks for months with Shakhtar Donetsk over a move for Mykhailo Mudryk before Chelsea swept in at the last with an £88million bid and the offer of an eight-year contract. Cue pandemonium at the failure to land a priority target in the window.
The signing of Leandro Trossard helped placate things, but just weeks later the monster reared its head from under the surface once more as Arsenal failed to lure Moises Caicedo from Brighton despite a £70million bid. The signing of Jorginho did little to quell the fury and come transfer deadline day, #EduOut was trending once again. As he seeks to stave of criticism and calls for his head though, it is probably the passing of time that has been Edu's biggest ally.
