Edu has been heavily criticised in the past for his transfer market activity as Arsenal’s technical director since taking over in 2019. However, he is beginning to show why he has been incredibly important to the Gunners’ rebuild.
The current summer transfer window has epitomised the successful job Edu has carried out to ensure Arsenal remains at the top in the years that are to follow. While rival clubs continue to franticly panic buy to improve their team before the end of the window, Edu has already undertaken the necessary ground to ensure this is not the case for the north London side.
According to the Sunday Times, Manchester United failed with a €100million (£84million) bid for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix. The Portuguese international had also previously been linked with a move to Arsenal.
READ MORE: Edu handed chance to solve key Arsenal dilemma by signing Arsene Wenger's dream Liverpool star
Edu's successful job has been highlighted by Manchester United’s desperation to sign a striker before the end of the transfer window. Arsenal had already signed Gabriel Jesus before the start of the pre-season which has benefited the Gunners.
Spanish news outlet El Chringuito reported that Arsenal were interested in signing the Portuguese star last season. However, this deal was always going to be hard to complete considering Felix had signed a seven-year contract with Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Instead of dwelling on a potential deal as Manchester United have done, Edu searched for the perfect alternative in Jesus. A £45m fee is looking an absolute bargain judging the 25-year-old’s start to life as a Gunner.
So far in the Premier League this season, according to Squawka, Jesus has the highest xG in the division alongside the most goals and assists, the most touches in the opposition box, and the most take-ons completed. The Brazilian has been completely dominant in his opening matches as an Arsenal player.
However, the statistic that gives him the keys to becoming an iconic Premier League striker is the fact that he ranks fifth in Premier League history for goal involvement per minute without a penalty. Jesus contributes to a goal every 107.6 minutes via Orbinho.
Only Thierry Henry, Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah, and Luiz Suarez rank higher than the new Arsenal striker, which highlights that he is in very good company.
Not only does he have valuable Premier League experience, but he has also elevated the Arsenal team and has started the season excellently for Arteta’s side without the need of an adaptation period which will likely be needed for Felix, and this highlights the vindication for Edu deciding to sign Jesus in the summer transfer window.
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