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EDU believes a series of “unpopular decisions” have transformed Arsenal from pretenders to championship contenders.The Gunners’ squad has undergone a massive face-lift since their former midfielder was appointed the club’s technical director in July 2019.Edu joined Arsenal in 2019 as the club’s technical directorCredit: GETTYThe Brazilian was promoted to the club’s sporting director in November 2022Credit: GETTYEdu oversaw a major shakeup of the squad and helped get rid of high earners Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut OzilCredit: GETTYEdu, Sporting director of Arsenal FA Cup 3rd Round Oxford United v Arsenal Kassam Stadium 09.01.2023 Photograph By Marc Aspland The TimesCredit: MARC ASPLANDHe was promoted to sporting director in November 2022 and subsequently took a more hands-on role with the comings and goings at the club.Former fan favourites like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have all departed the Emirates since Edu was appointed sporting director.Arsenal’s fortunes on the pitch have simultaneously improved since the Brazilian has been at the helm of the transfer ship, with the club narrowly missing out on the Premier League title in the last two seasons.And Edu believes there has been a correlation between the club’s uptake in recent years and the clearing of the deadwood.READ MORE ON ARSENALHe told the Men in Blazers podcast: “When you live in the football world, sometimes you have to make decisions simple and sometimes you have to make decisions even if it is not popular. “You have to be very strong on your ideas, what you believe, what is good for the club, what is good for the future of the club.”For me, there are some elements in football which I will always give a lot of attention. “When I joined, I looked at the squad balance, the positions, the age of the group.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSArsenal have a tricky start to the season”There are three elements that you have to be really aware of.”First of all, we have to see the age of the player. Then you have to see the salary of the player. Three reasons Arsenal’s new signing Riccardo Calafiori is a huge upgrade “And third you have to see the performance of the player.”If you have a player over 26 or 27 years, you need attention. If his salary is high, you need attention. And if he is not performing, you are dead.”Let’s come back… If you have a player, 27 years old or 28, on a big salary, but he is performing, you can accept it. “What you cannot accept is if you have those three elements and the player is over 28.”You start to become uncomfortable and it is better for you to move them on – because maybe this player is blocking someone younger, an asset who could help you.”When I came to Arsenal, I saw all the squad, with respect, almost everyone was over 26, 27, on big salaries and not performing.”If you have those three elements, which club in the world wants to come here and buy one of our players? No-one.”So how do you deal with that situation? You have to be strong and sometimes you have to make decisions. “You can go strong and try to let those players go or your project is going to take, instead of three or four years, maybe seven, eight or nine.”Unpopular decisions started to come.EduOn Arsenal’s transfer policyEdu continued: “Then unpopular decisions started to come. Because most of the players that have those elements, they have a fanbase and a media that love them.”But for the club, it is not healthy sometimes to keep the player in that situation.’ “When I started I saw every single player in the squad with those three characteristics.”Then I said: ‘Guys, we have to clean this squad, with all my respect, to build a new foundation here.'”From that foundation, we need to sign younger players, on lower salaries, with better futures, who are hungry to take us where we want to go.'”READ MORE SUN STORIESEdu would have played a key role in Arsenal’s two signings of the summer, the permanent acquisition of David Raya from Brentford and the £42million arrival of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign a week on Saturday, welcoming Wolves to the Emirates.Edu and Mikel Arteta have worked synergistically to improve Arsenal’s form on the pitchCredit: Getty More

REGRETS? Mikel Arteta has had very few during his Arsenal tenure – especially when it comes to moving on players.Bad eggs have had their contracts ripped up. Think Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil were booted out by Mikel ArtetaCredit: ReutersArteta had a close bond with Granit Xhaka before last summer’s departureCredit: GettyAgeing stars have been allowed to leave on a free. Think Willian, David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac.Money has also been made to make way for the future. Think Emiliano Martinez, Bernd Leno, Folarin Balogun and Emile Smith Rowe.And yet, there is perhaps one goodbye that is still on the mind of Arteta on the eve of an intriguing North London reunion this week – Granit Xhaka.Ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s Emirates Cup clash with the Gunners tomorrow, the Switzerland international will play at his old stomping ground for the first time since last summer’s £21.4m move back to Germany.read more arsenalXhaka – who signed for Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in May 2016 for £30m – returns with a Bundesliga title to his name having played a starring role in an unbeaten domestic campaign under boss Xabi Alonso.In contrast, Arteta’s Arsenal fell short in their Premier League title push for a second successive term behind Manchester City – the most recent without Xhaka in their ranks.Would Xhaka’s leadership and experience have made the difference?It has hard to say, but it is a debate that has gained momentum following his stunning performances for the Swiss at the Euros that had German outlets calling for a Ballon d’Or nomination.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThere is no doubt that Arteta lost one of his most important dressing room generals, one that demanded excellence, acted as a perfect go-between from dug-out to pitch, and one whose own renaissance in an Arsenal shirt sums up the Spanish coach’s impact at the club.Arteta and Arsenal were torn over the future of Xhaka towards the end of the 2022/23 season – a player who had transformed into an integral cog in a more advanced midfield role.They did not want him to leave, but unwilling to hand a long-term deal to a 30-year-old as they planned for a window that included the £105m capture of a 24-year-old Declan Rice.With 12 months left on his deal, with a club-option to extend, Arsenal and Xhaka decided to part ways after a sit-down chat with sporting director Edu.The midfielder said recently: “I was a bit sad, but also quite happy because I didn’t like that uncertainty.“The length of the Leverkusen contract [five years] gives me security. I’m not someone who likes to play poker… I like peace and order.”Xhaka was booed off by Arsenal fans in October 2019Credit: ReutersArsenal could put out as strong starting XI to face Bayer Leverkusen-Xhaka will likely receive a grand reception back at the Emirates, much like the one he had on his 297th and final appearance for the club, scoring twice in a 5-0 victory over Wolves in May 2023 before being subbed to a standing ovation.Four years earlier, those same fans had booed him off in the 61st minute of a draw at home to Crystal Palace in October 2019.Upon leaving the pitch, Xhaka told them to “f**k off” and stormed down the tunnel, an incident that saw him stripped of the captaincy by then-manager Unai Emery.Two months later, Emery was sacked and Arteta was in, with convincing Xhaka to stay one of the first tasks the former midfielder set himself.Xhaka explained: “When I met [Mikel] for the first time, my bags were already packed and I was about to hop on a plane. With my heart and soul, I had already left the club.“The club showed me little respect even though I was the captain. It was clear they wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible, apart from one person: Mikel Arteta.”Ignoring the advice of his friends and family, Xhaka stayed.Arteta would then bring about a career revival that no one saw coming, not least the Arsenal faithful.Xhaka added: “Arsenal supporters sometimes can take a bit of persuading to change their minds. But at the end, I won them around.”Arteta also owes much to Xhaka, a player he could rely on during the tough times and who stepped up and raised his game in the good times.It could be argued that Arsenal’s midfield is all the better for Xhaka leaving. Rice and skipper Martin Odegaard are a formidable pair with Jorginho and Thomas Partey adding the extras.But Arteta had a bond with Xhaka that is hard to replace. How he would love to still be able to call upon his services, even if the player himself would not accept a role from the bench.Of all the players he has let go, Arteta has rarely issued an emotional farewell statement, but for Xhaka he did, saying: “We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and person loved by all of us. “It has been an incredible journey for him and he has given absolutely everything.“We cannot thank Granit enough for his service and contribution to this club over the years.”Xhaka returned to the Emirates as a supporter last December to witness Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham, signing autographs from his car on arrival.Yet this time, he will be granted a welcome home from out of the shadows, even after a recent cheeky remark where he stated leaving Arsenal was a “step forward” in his career.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe still is an avid watcher of Arsenal games, and remains in contact with assistant coach Carlos Cuesta and old teammates Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.Expect a warm embrace of Arteta tomorrow too – the man who no doubt wishes Xhaka’s Arsenal story did not have to end so soon. 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