Edu keen to bring more ‘young, energetic' players to Arsenal in summer - ‘We already have our targets’

Arsenal sporting director Edu has teased that "we already have our targets" as the club prepare, behind the scenes, for this summer's transfer window.

Despite scoring 21 goals in their last five Premier League fixtures, there has been some talk that The Gunners need to enter the market for an out-and-out striker.

Ahead of Arsenal’s game against Newcastle live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Edu, who oversees the signing of players, addressed that speculation.

“Well, I understand what the fans are asking for but we already have our targets,” the Brazilian said. “We have planned a lot ahead and I will be worried if we don’t score a lot of goals and if we’re not creating chances, which is the opposite because we create a lot and score a lot of goals.

“The plan is to try to get better every year and I think we are in a good moment. Let's see if we can keep improving.”

Arsenal have become shrewd operators in the market under Edu’s leadership.

Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurien Timber arrived last summer, as did goalkeeper David Raya on loan. With the exception of Timber, who tore his ACL in the first game of the season, all have made an impact and fit the new mould for the club.

“I think if you see the type of the players we have at the moment, it’s players which have a big, big commitment of [to] the club, which is very important,” Edu added.

“So the way we transmit to the fans, transmit to people our commitment – sometimes you can lose, you can win games, it’s all part of the sport – helps us perform the best way possible and show the passion we have for the club and try to be win as many games as we can.

“Many times in certain conversations to recruit the players you don't see the character of the player or the character of the player does not fit well with what we are trying to do and then you have to move on and try to find what we’re really looking for.

“If you see all the signings we’ve made since we started together, everyone is almost the same, young, energetic and passionate, and good talents with big, beautiful futures ahead of them.”

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