Edu Gaspar makes honest Arsenal transfer claim with Raheem Sterling verdict

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The transfer window has now closed, with Arsenal signing four first-team players, and two of them arriving on deadline day.

Arsenal signed defender Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Mikel Merino, but headed into deadline day without a new forward or a backup goalkeeper signed.

Edu Gaspar then pulled off a masterclass as he secured two loanees in Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto, and Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, to finish off the window.

Arsenal sold several players in the window, including homegrown stars Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, as well as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, whilst they also loaned out Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson.

There have been mixed reviews over the window, as Arsenal tried and failed to sign top targets including Nico Williams, but the arrival of Sterling has given Mikel Arteta extra strength in depth, and Edu has expressed his happiness over how the window ended up.

• READ MORE: Arsenal 24/25 confirmed signings, transfers in and out, loan exits and releases

Edu Gaspar gives Arsenal transfer verdict after Raheem Sterling arrival

Speaking to club media after the window closed, Edu claimed that he was happy with how the window went.

“It’s the last day, the last minutes, so [it’s been] a long day, a long transfer window but in the end, I think we as a club have to be proud once again,” he stated.

“The way we are working together, the way we did all the deals. I think we are in a very good situation when you see all the loan players in the right clubs.

“You see the signings we have like Riccardo [Calafiori] & Merino, so the players that we planned to sign, our targets, they are here.

“Also the players that we decided to sell, I think we sold them for the right price, to the right clubs, in the right way also which it’s important.

Edu then praised Sterling, with a deal agreed in the final minutes of the window.

“So today, to be here on the last day of the transfer window, to get someone like Sterling, who I believe will be someone very important for the squad, who is going to give a lot to the team.

“So it’s a pleasure & in the end, everyone – not only me because there are a lot of people working here as well – but it’s a pleasure we are finishing the transfer window.”

Arsenal recovered transfer window from potential disaster

By the afternoon on deadline day, Arsenal fans were furious as it appeared that no attacking player would be joining.

It was clear that Arsenal needed a winger who could add speed and play on both sides, to provide additional goal threat.

Edu clearly targeted Williams, but the winger preferred to stay at Athletic Bilbao, but the window was heading for disaster with few alternatives available.

Securing Sterling on such a cheap loan deal was a masterstroke, and the 29-year-old will add experience and quality depth on both sides, meaning that Arsenal did end up fixing one of the biggest gaps in the squad.