Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now revealed whether Mikel Arteta or sporting director Edu has more power when it comes to making transfer decisions at the club.
Arsenal are trying to make moves in the current January transfer window. The Gunners have already seen a £22 million bid for Getafe striker Borja Mayoral knocked back.
The north London club have also been credited with an interest in Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, who could be available in a cut-price deal due to the Toffees’ own difficult financial situation.
Arsenal have also been linked with Roma defender Leonardo Spinazzola, who is looking unlikely to pen a new deal with the Serie A outfit. This target would fit the Gunners’ criteria for their top target, as transfer journalist David Ornstein has already stated that the north London club consider bringing in an affordable left-back to be their priority this month.
Clearly, Arsenal are considering several options across multiple parts of the pitch. Given that the Gunners have sustained a number of injuries so far this season, with the likes of Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, amongst others, having been sidelined for significant periods, it is unsurprising to see the club trying to bolster their options in key areas.
However, Arsenal cannot give in to the temptation to panic. It is all too easy to make knee-jerk moves in the transfer market that backfire in the long-run, especially in the context of the Gunners’ recent poor form which has seen them lose ground in the Premier League title race and get ejected from the FA Cup.
Is Mikel Arteta or Edu calling the shots at Arsenal?
Both Mikel Arteta and Edu have a responsibility for using the club’s funds wisely in the transfer market. However, this is not an entirely equal partnership. One man seemingly holds a degree of power over the other, when it comes to making transfer decisions to the club.
According to iconic former striker Ian Wright, Arteta tends to get his own way. Speaking on Stick to Football, he was asked who pulls the strings for Arsenal in the transfer market.
He said, “Edu and Mikel [Arteta] together [are signing the players at Arsenal]. Remember not too long ago when Mikel was head coach and now, they said ‘Right, Mikel’s in charge’ – he’s in charge of everything. Him and Edu work very tightly together.”
“If you look at Mikel and his persona, he’s somebody that can probably deal with that. He wants that. He’s not a manager that’s going to make excuses about this not happening – he’s doing everything he wants.”
Obviously, Arsenal are unlikely to ever sign a player that Arteta has advocated to bring in if Edu is staunchly against the decision. It would seem, though, that the Spanish coach ultimately gets the final say. It is therefore vital that the two former midfielders maintain a healthy working relationship to ensure that Arsenal’s actions in the market remain cohesive, and don’t cause a rift to grow between the most powerful figures at the club.
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