Ahead of this evening’s clash with Luton Town, Edu took to the pitch at Kenilworth Road for an interview with the Amazon Prime team, including Gabby Logan, Thierry Henry, Roberto Martinez and Alan Shearer.
Here’s what our Sporting Director had to say…
On whether Arsenal can win the title…
I think we are in a very good moment in the season so we want to perform the way we are. My main target right now is to perform every single match in the best way possible. Our target right now is to perform every single match in the best way possible. Keep going with the energy, what the squad is showing everyone. And let’s see how we’re going to finish the season because, as Mikel sometimes says in the dressing room, our focus is to perform well every game, every single game. Be better, be better. And that’s our target for the game and for the season as well.
On recent signings working out for Arsenal…
It is, it is. But there is something even more special for me because when you’re talking about signings, people normally like to give a signing for Edu or for Mikel, which sometimes is not true because we have so many people working for one signing. We have our recruitment, we have our legal people, we have a direct operation, we have the board to support us, we have the ownership to support us. so it’s a big, big team effort really to sign one player. And that for me makes me really, really proud because the way we’re working today, the way we connect internally in the club, it makes me feel so proud because I am part of it, of course, I have my responsibility, but what makes me really happy is the way we’re working today.
On life being more stressful as a Sporting Director than player…
Oh, yes. For sure. For sure. That’s a good question. But for sure. For sure. It’s different because I feel, or we feel, a little bit more control when we are here [on the pitch], isn’t it? But outside, of course, we have to trust in what we’re doing and pray sometimes as well. But no, for sure, it’s much safer here [on the pitch] than there.
On Arsenal’s plans for January…
To work for a football club like Arsenal, to be fair, you’re always very busy. You need to put a lot of effort, you need to put a lot of energy, you need to dedicate a lot of your time. But of course, in January and the summers, it intensifies a little bit. But we are prepared. We have big people around the club to support us to support me for the decisions so that’s helping me to make my life. So you’ve got your targets? We always do we always do always do which is important to be prepared for every single scenario so that’s that’s very important.
On what he needed to change when he came back to the club…
There are a lot of things, but one I really see, and I think I have some conversations with Thierry about this, is I think I missed a little bit the mentality when I arrived at the club again, when I come back to the club, and I see some things which I didn’t face before in our time. And I said, how can we change the dynamic and the way people think? Because a club like Arsenal, I remember people were celebrating, with all respect here, to be top four. I said, that’s not enough for Arsenal Football Club. Of course, we have to be happy. We have to respect the seasons [before], but that’s not enough. We have to always think about how can we win titles because I believe we have almost everything to think about that.
On whether Arsenal can win the title…
I think we are doing very well. As I said in the beginning of the interview, we are in a very good moment. I see the players with a lot of confidence. I see Mikel is very good and in the right place. I see our squad in a very good way. I see the balance of the squad as well. I think it’s quite soon to start talking about those things because there are so many things to happen in the season. We don’t reach even the middle of the season yet. But the most important thing is to be the way we are at the moment. Concentrate, focus on performances and see how we’re going to finish.
I keep reading that we can’t really spend much, if any, money in January due to FFP rules and our needing to sell players to even pay for Raya’s eventual transfer. As much I’d love us to be active again this January to get a striker and maybe a 6 or 8 I can’t see us selling anyone in this window to pay for incoming players.
Yes you have already answered this question twice but once again!
ON WHETHER ARSENAL CAN WIN THE TITLE!
Because a club like Arsenal, I remember people were celebrating, with all respect here, to be top four. I said, that’s not enough for Arsenal Football Club. ‘ I think we are on a right track and this team has grown a lot from devastation of missing out on top four by fine margin to missing out on title last time. Surely the mindset has changed. Thank you everyone working behind the scene at Arsenal.
Huge fan from Nepal.
When you have a fucking buffoon in goal Arsenal will NEVER win the league. From 2-1 up to 3-2 fucking down all thanks to fucking Raya.
That’s the spirit.
As opposed to Leon, who is definitely NOT a buffoon
Raya is not spectacular but a fairly good keeper. Our defence just didn’t cope last night. He made two judgemental errors yes and an off day can happen to anyone anytime, but he wouldn’t have been called to make any judgement at all had the other departments functioned as per expectations. And he’s definitely not a buffoon whch you obviously are. Again, based on the shambolic way Rams handled the Brentford game i wouldn’t have risked him in an away game to a hostile stadium and a team fighting for premier league survival. If Rams stays he will need to… Read more »
Better a Buffon than a buffoon