Edu Gaspar spent over five years at the helm at Arsenal.
The Brazilian first joined the club as their technical director, but he was then promoted to become the Gunners’ first-ever sporting director.
Edu did a lot of good things at Arsenal, including starting the current project under Mikel Arteta that is on the brink of immense success.
However, there were a few poor decisions as well, and the truth about one of them has just come to light.
Finish the sentence: Edu Gaspar’s time at Arsenal was a _____________________
Edu Gaspar snubbed Dominik Szoboszlai and signed Willian for Arsenal instead
Arsenal shocked everyone by making a move for Willian.
The Brazilian was out of contract at Premier League rivals Chelsea in 2020. He was 32 at the time, and there were rumours about a move away from England to an inferior league.
However, Arsenal came out of nowhere, paid him a fortune in wages and signed him that summer, and he is, to this day, the worst signing during Arteta’s tenure at the club.
Now, CBS Sports have revealed that Arsenal’s recruitment actually recommended Dominik Szoboszlai to solve their problems in attacking midfield.
The Hungarian was at RB Salzburg at the time and was viewed as one of the most promising young players in the world.
The report says that Szoboszlai was intrigued by a move to Arsenal, but Edu overruled his recruitment team and signed Willian instead.
That proved to be a disaster as the former Chelsea man played 37 games for the Gunners and scored just one goal before having his contract terminated and leaving the club.
The news about Edu signing Willian over Szoboszlai, who helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season, will surely make Arsenal fans furious.
Who was Edu Gaspar’s worst signing at Arsenal? Willian, Raheem Sterling or someone else?
Andrea Berta has shown what Arsenal missed under Edu Gaspar
Edu deserves a lot of praise for the work he did at Arsenal, but signings like Willian and Raheem Sterling showed his flaws.
When the Brazilian left Arsenal in November 2024, there were a few concerns over who would replace him.
Andrea Berta became the chosen one a few months later, and the Italian has exceeded all expectations at Arsenal.
He signed eight new players in the summer, extended the contracts of key players like Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba and has put Arsenal in a position where they are favourites to win all the trophies.
The Gunners never had this under Edu, which is why his departure and Berta’s arrival are the best things that could’ve happened to them.
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