Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has given an enlightening insight into the squad-building policy at Arsenal which has raised questions over three players in particular. The club has undergone major overhauls in the market since the arrival of the Brazilian and Mikel Arteta.
There have been some ruthless decisions too such as the departures of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the sale this summer of Emile Smith Rowe. This harsh look at squad evolution is a crucial part of how Edu sees his vision for the role, though.
Speaking to the Men in Blazers, Edu explained the rigid three-step process by which decisions are made on players. What is key is some of the reasoning behind the choices that will certainly be present this summer and beyond.
“Sometimes you have to make decisions that are not popular and popular,” he said. “You have to be very strong in your ideas, what you believe, what is good for the club, what is good for the future of the club and everything.
“So for me, there is some elements here in football which I will always be with a lot of attention. I always started to see the squad when I enjoyed or when I see the squads I started to the squad balance, the positions, the age, the group what we have but there are three elements here which for me you have to be really aware.
“First of all, we have to see the age of the player, and then you have to see the salary of the player and the third you have to see the performance of the player. So if you have a over 26, 27-years-old you need attention.