Interview

Edu on our transfer strategy and squad balance

There has been a lot of focus on our transfer strategy in recent weeks.

After a frenetic summer in which we added six players, all aged 23 or less, we sat down with Edu, to reflect on the window and why we pursued the players we have.

"I think you have to see the bigger picture," our technical director told Arsenal Media. "I know people want to understand a little bit more about this transfer window, which is quite clear for me the direction you go. 

"We signed six players, all the six are under the age of 23 so that is the direction you go to try to consolidate the direction of the squad, to try to give to the squad more balance and more future as well. But what I would like people to understand is the big picture, because if you see a year ago we started to make some decisions in this direction so we renewed Bukayo Saka, and renewed Martinelli in this period as well just to give them  some direction in the way you try to go. 

"Just to give you some context, we renewed - in one year - five sets of contracts, and five of them are under the age of 23 for the first team. Then, in this period, summer to summer, we signed 10 players and seven out of the 10 are under 23 as well. 

"So what I would like to explain is that is is not about this summer, it is about the project. It is about what we want to do. We have started the project, we are in the middle, so it is not just one window and go, it is window, window, window, window. 

"We have to consider every single step, now is another one, I think in this one we consolidated a big step, I am really pleased because the players we signed are what we are looking for, so I see, and Mikel [sees] a much more balanced squad in terms of age, profile and in terms of some players who can get a lot of responsibility like Thomas, Granit, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

"We see the balance in the squad is much better, but again this is not the end. People have to understand we are still on the journey to go where this club deserves to be."

 

See Full List

Fixtures & Results

Premier League
Ticket Info