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Edu breaks his silence on Arsenal’s striker search

By on February 26, 2024

Mikel Arteta Edu

Arsenal Sporting Director Edu, speaking with TNT Sports via Football London, may have just delivered the ultimate transfer hint that every Gooner would love to hear. The Brazilian has now hinted that there are already plans to buy a striker this summer.

In the first half of the 2023–24 season, the Gunners struggled to score goals on a consistent basis. They were playing well and creating numerous chances; unfortunately, they failed to capitalise on these opportunities and were wasteful.

Questions were raised about Arsenal’s strikers. Gabriel Jesus, their main striker, has struggled to stay fit, and when he is, he does everything except score frequently. Eddie Nketiah, Arsenal’s striking alternative, has also failed to demonstrate his worthiness in the Gunners’ attack; he, too, has been inefficient in front of goal.

The Gooners expected the club to sign a top striker in the winter, but that deal didn’t materialize. FFP constraints hindered Arsenal’s ability to sign a marquee striker in January.

Fortunately, following the winter break, Mikel Arteta and his team appear to have discovered a way to be efficient in front of goal even without a clinical striker. They have scored 25 goals in their last six league games since the winter break.

One could say that Arsenal’s striker woes are over, but are they? I don’t think they are; the Gunners have just discovered a way to score goals, but I bet doing so with a clinical striker would make them even more formidable.

Edu discusses Arsenal’s striker search

As fans anticipate the marquee signing in the summer, the club’s sporting director, Edu, has hinted that the club may already have an idea of who they want to sign.

Speaking on TNT Sports, the former midfielder confirmed that many things are going on behind the scenes. He revealed that they have heard the fans’ calls for them to sign a top striker, and hinted that they already have their targets in mind.

When quizzed about Arsenal buying a striker in the summer, Edu said:

“To be fair, there’s a lot going on at the moment,” Edu told TNT Sports (as transcribed by Football London) when asked about Arsenal’s summer transfer targets.

“My role isn’t just looking after the first team; it’s looking after the women and the academy as well. There are a lot of things to do, but of course, we’re learning [what we need] ahead of the summer.

“I understand why the fans are asking for [a No.9] but we already have our targets planned; we know what we’re going to face, and I’d be worried if we weren’t scoring goals or creating chances, but we are doing that right now. The plan is to try and get better every year; we’re at a good moment right now and so it’s about improving step-by-step.”

Edu’s claims are exciting, as in them, you get the impression that Mikel Arteta’s project may finally be gifted its Haaland-like striker in the summer.

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney have been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months but it remains to be seen whether they are among the ‘targets’ Edu is speaking of.

Whoever Arsenal end up signing in the summer, fans will hope they are the final piece of the jigsaw and the club can compete on all fronts next season.