Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar has made a positive impact since rejoining the club in 2019, having also been a part of the Invincibles squad.
Edu was a central midfielder who would help cover for Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva under Arsene Wenger in the early 2000s, and he also played alongside club legend Robert Pires.
Pires was one of the best wingers the club has ever had, and was one of the top scorers in the Invincibles side.
Edu’s return to the club saw him hire Mikel Arteta, and the pair have worked in tandem to build a squad which is currently challenging for the Premier League and Champions League.
Some of Arteta’s ex-teammates have admitted that they always had a feeling he would go on to become a top coach, but the same cannot be said of Edu as a technical director.
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Robert Pires admits surprise over Edu Gaspar success at Arsenal
Speaking to club media, Pires explained that during his playing days, the squad never really thought beyond their retirement, and there was no indication that Edu would go on to eventually become a successful director at the club.
“To be honest, no, because when you play together, you don’t think too much about the future,” Pires replied when asked if there was any sign Edu would eventually become a director.
“You live so much in the present, or the close future, you just think about the next game. So we didn’t talk about Thierry or Patrick going into management either.
“But I’m very happy for Edu and happy for the club because they have found a good stability and now Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe and at the top of the Premier League.”
Edu Gaspar’s impact at Arsenal
Edu made 127 appearances for Arsenal, but has arguably made a bigger impact at the club after his retirement.
His near-five years as a technical director has seen him and Arteta transform the club. At the time of his arrival, Arsenal were in crisis under Unai Emery and former director Raul Sanllehi, but Edu helped hire Arteta, and also stuck by him when his job looked in jeopardy.
Arsenal’s transfer strategy dramatically improved since Edu’s arrival, and right now, the club are in an excellent position, with all key players tied down to long-term contracts.
Edu’s work has been recognised alongside Arteta, and if Arsenal do go on to win major trophies, he will have played a huge part.