NO REST FOR THE WINNERS
A stint on the bench at an all-stars game is likely to be Edu’s only rest as he plots Arsenal’s assault on Pep’s champs
BY
ARSENAL chief Edu is conscious the 75 minutes he spent on the bench during a Brazilian All-star match at Dagenham & Redbridge is likely to represent the only rest he enjoys this summer.
It is why it should come as no surprise the club’s sporting director was already one step ahead of the game when he voluntarily substituted himself on Monday after a 15-minute cameo, in which his side had already shipped two goals.
The former Gunners midfielder is prepared to ditch his end-of-season holidays to spearhead their ambitious transfer plans as they seek to hunt down champions Manchester City in the next campaign.
“There is little time for me to rest, that’s just part of my role,” said Edu.
“We have to be available almost all of the time. I have to meet people, go and see people and also travel to make sure things happen. That’s just the nature of my job and it’s something I really like to do.
“When you enjoy what you do, you have no problem with it. That is the case with my work.”
Arsenal are expected to launch a club-record bid – worth up to £90million – in the coming weeks for West Ham captain Declan Rice, who has quickly emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top transfer target.
The Gunners are also eyeing reinforcements in attack and at the back, where Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, RB Leizpig’s Mohamed Simakan and
Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen are all admired.
Yet Edu insisted it is not solely about shelling out big-money transfer fees, as he highlighted the importance of his vision, adding: “It’s not just about spending money, it’s about strategy.
“That’s how we have made progress and it’s how we want to continue working moving forward.”
After England duo Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale recently signed new long-term contracts, Edu is also optimistic of tying down
William Saliba and captain Martin Odegaard to fresh deals.
Reiss Nelson is also set to extend his stay for an additional four years – with the option for an additional 12 months – following lengthy discussions.
Edu, now 45, was speaking at an io. charity football match, where he lined up alongside Tottenham duo Richarlison and Emerson Royal plus former transfer target Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa in a starstudded XI.
The exhibition, which was free to enter providing fans donated 1kg of food to the Tottenham Food Bank, also featured Brazilian celebrities and influencers, including social media star Luva de Pedreiro, who boasts over 20 million followers on Instagram and Tik Tok.
“The main reason I’m playing is just to be here supporting the cause, the Brazilian community and the fans,” said Edu.
But he proudly played down rivalries with Spurs duo Richarlison and Emerson, who both featured in the 4-1 win at Leeds on Sunday.
“Listen, we are just playing a friendly game. It’s so nice to have them around us as well.
“I know that people will be thinking because they’re on one side of north London and we’re on the other one – but the competition is on the field.
“When you have the opportunity to be here together, we are friends.
“We have a good connection and relationship and that’s proof it can exist within football.”