It only took one transfer window to expose Edu’s Arsenal legacy

Arsenal's brilliant 2025 summer transfer window has quickly exposed just how poor of a job Edu Gaspar did while the club's sporting director.

There was plenty of excitement when the Brazilian re-joined the club ahead of the 2019/20 season. An underrated member of the Invincible squad, Edu was a fan favourite among Gooners, but his second spell in north London didn't live up to expectations.

He made some good signings while at the club, but for the most part, his negotiations were poor and his ability to sell players was well below par. His replacement Andrea Berta has arguably surpassed him in just transfer window and that has exposed just how poor Edu's Arsenal legacy is.

It only took one window to expose Edu’s Arsenal legacy

Berta's outstanding start to life as Arsenal sporting director has made fans realise that his predecessor Edu just wasn't up to scratch for the role.

His first window in the job appeared as a great start to life at the Emirates, bringing in the likes of Gabriel Martinelli (still an unbelievable bargain I must say), William Saliba and Kieran Tierney. There was also be plenty of excitement around the signing of Nicolas Pepe, but we all know that didn't work out as planned.

However, as the years went on, Edu's signings became stranger and stranger. He began making bizarre additions such as a second loan for Dani Ceballos, Willian on a free transfer, and a deadline day move for Neto, a backup goalkeeper who was already cup-tied in the main competition he'd have played in.

The Brazilian's ability to negotiate often came under scrutiny. He was willing to overpay for certain players too frequently while not putting up the offers needed for priority positions. His selling of players was also criticised, with a number leaving the club for free or little money during his tenure.

Edu did help bring some great players to Arsenal, overseeing the signings of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White, but most fans were pleased when he announced his departure from the club in late 2024 and have seen Berta as a far superior successor in the sporting director role.

Having effectively secured five deals already this summer, Berta has been a perfect example of how an official should negotiate transfers. He managed to reach a compromise with Sporting for the signing of Viktor Gyokeres while also working a way around Chelsea's high asking price for Noni Madueke. In comparison, the only real success Edu had in negotiations was the record-breaking signing of Rice from West Ham.

The Italian is also reported to be looking at potential outgoings after already securing decent fees for Nuno Tavares and Marquinhos.

With some fans labelling this as potentially the club's greatest ever transfer window, Berta has already outdone Edu's legacy as Arsenal's sporting director.

He will always be remembered as a member of the Invincibles squad, but fans will be less reminiscent of Edu's second stint with the Gunners. Recent business under other officials has shown how poor he did at Arsenal and despite some good signings, his legacy has now been exposed.

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