Despite a nightmare start in the Premier League, Edu has defended Arsenal’s transfer decisions this summer that are worth a reported €165.6 million.
Arsenal technical director Edu insists that the club’s transfer policy is aimed at building a solid foundation for the future.
The Gunners spent a reported €165.6 million – more than any other Premier League club – on six signings: Ben White (€58.50m), Martin Odegaard (€35m), Aaron Ramsdale (€28m), Takehiro Tomiyasu (€18.6m), Albert Sambi Lokonga (€17.5m) and Nuno Tavares (€8m).
All six players are 23 years old or under, but have yet to make the desired impact as Arsenal have begun the new season rock-bottom in the Premier League with defeats in each of their first three games.
“I think we have to see the wider context than just the money around it,” Edu told Sky Sports. “We signed six players who are under 23, which means a lot in terms of our planning.
“We started planning this squad a year ago in terms of consolidating the team and trying to get a better foundation. We have to balance the squad better.”
🗣 "We believe this squad can be even stronger in the future, my job is thinking about the short period but in the long period as well."
Arsenal's technical director Edu explains the strategy behind the clubs transfers pic.twitter.com/nx5ibeFOWI
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 4, 2021
The Gunners need a foundation
Arsenal are out of Europe for the first time since 1995 and have suffered their worst league start in 67 years.
Edu continued: “We need a squad to be in a good position at the end of the season because it is not just about the first XI. We need a foundation and we need cover.
“Where we needed to spend big money was in the center-back position. This was the one where we needed someone to come here and straight away have an impact on the first team with the right profile for the short, medium and long term. That was Ben White.”
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