Edu Gaspar’s final gift to Mikel Arteta before leaving completely changed Arsenal’s future

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The summer transfer window of 2024 was Edu Gaspar’s last as Arsenal’s sporting director.

The Brazilian had been at the helm at the Emirates Stadium for over five years, and he did a lot of good work during his time at the club. He was the one who started this Gunners project under Mikel Arteta.

Edu brought in several players for Arteta, but his last permanent signing for the Gunners was Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.

That signing has changed Arsenal’s future.

Mikel Merino may just be Edu Gaspar’s most underrated Arsenal signing

Merino has been a revelation at Arsenal in 2025.

The Spaniard was originally brought in as a backup midfielder in the summer of 2024, but his performances in the middle of the park were not convincing early on.

Following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus earlier this year, Arteta made the bold decision to deploy Merino up top, and that has proved to be a masterstroke.

The 29-year-old saved the North Londoners last season and played a big part in helping them finish second in the Premier League and make it into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

This season, in Havertz, Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres’ absences, Merino has been tasked with playing as a striker again, and he has been brilliant.

Following his goal and assist against Brentford, Merino’s tally in 2025 is 30 direct goal contributions for club and country – more than any other Arsenal player.

Had the Spaniard not stepped up in recent weeks, the Gunners wouldn’t be six points clear at the top of the Premier League table right now.

If Arsenal go on to win the title this season, Merino would be one of the biggest reasons why, making Edu’s last permanent gift for Arteta one of his best.

Mikel Merino is about to do the unthinkable at Arsenal

In every transfer window after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left Arsenal, the call has been to bring in a new striker.

Andrea Berta finally delivered on that demand in the summer by signing Gyokeres, and everyone felt that he would be undroppable up top.

However, Merino could be about to change that.

After his recent performances, the Spain Euro 2024 winner is likely to keep his place in the side as a striker ahead of Gyokeres, which would’ve been unthinkable a few months ago.

That shows just how good he has been, and we can’t wait to see how much better he will be in the coming weeks and months.