Why Edu’s promotion to Sporting Director is fully deserved

Arsenal have announced that Edu Gaspar has been promoted to the role of Sporting Director in a signal of ambition and commitment from the Premier League leaders.

The Brazilian’s promotion comes at a time when there was interest from other clubs in acquiring his services.

Why Edu’s promotion to Sporting Director is fully deserved

Just this past year, Arsenal withheld from signing a striker in January and, while this may have eventually derailed their top-four challenge, this meant that they could sign Gabriel Jesus in the summer. Jesus symbolises everything that Arteta and Edu want from their new signings: he fits the system perfectly.

Other singings, such as Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos, have demonstrated Edu’s more niche knowledge in Brazilian football. Martinelli, who signed for the Gunners for just £6m, has become a mainstay in the side and a huge reason why Arsenal sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

It’s a promotion that demonstrates Arsenal’s vision and commitment to him, just like they are committed to Arteta. Not all of the signings under Edu’s tenure have been successful, but many stand out as clear successes. The aforementioned Jesus is one, but his fellow Manchester City teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko is a second clear example.

The 44-year-old should be judged on how he has helped Mikel Arteta in the transfer windows and how his signings have performed: by this metric, his promotion is thoroughly deserved. He has hastened the club’s rebuilding process and helped them to the top of the Premier League with his signings, rid the club of older players who were on huge contracts, and signed exciting youth products to bolster the Gunners’ future.

Speaking to the Arsenal website, Edu said: I’m delighted to have this new role which I see as an evolution and consolidation of the way we’ve been working. We are making good progress in all areas of our men’s, women’s and academy and we are all excited about what can be achieved.

“I look forward to building on the hard work of so many people and helping all of us grow together and enjoy more success, and am thankful for the trust the club has put in me. We move forward together.”