Mikel Arteta will have a huge say in Arsenal's upcoming transfer business, insists the club's technical director Edu.
Arteta is looking to rebuild his Arsenal squad following a hugely turbulent few seasons, with a fourth consecutive season without Champions League awaiting them unless they make a miraculous recovery this term.
And while Edu, head of football Raul Sanllehi and chief negotiator Huss Fahmy are ultimately responsible for getting deals over the line, the former has confirmed that Arteta has an imperative role to play in terms of Arsenal's transfer plans.
'Mikel has to be involved in recruitment, he must,' Edu told The Athletic. 'We talk about what we need, the characteristics of the players, the system we're going to play and then I start the process internally. That's my role.
'If he has names, if he advises or wants advice on players, that's fine. If he wants to talk to the other guys [like scouts] of course he will talk to them, but normally that's my process. That's why the relationship between us needs to be very strong.
'I have to understand his points and he has to understand the club's points. Then we build everything together — that's the main point.'
Since taking over in December, there have been signs of improvement and an identity under Arteta and he will be hoping for a strong finish to the season.
The Gunners currently sit ninth in the Premier League with 10 matches remaining and Arteta has an almighty job on his hands to take Arsenal back to the top.
But Edu has revealed that he knew Arteta was the man for the job before the pair even started talking about football prior to his appointment.
'My first conversation with him was not about football and that's what I really loved,' Edu added. 'It was about concepts, respect, people and staff but not football. My beliefs and his beliefs are the same.
'We were talking about life, about family, how important it is for the players to understand the importance of being together and respecting the club. After that conversation I was really surprised — we connected straight away with our ideas, philosophy and lifestyle.
'So before we went through the technical part, I felt he was a special guy.'
