Attending a post-match mixed zone can be a deflating task for a journalist. The players are obliged to file past their would-be interrogators, but not to stop and chat. Some do, of course. Most, though, tired and eager to get home, will keep their heads down.
In that context, the demeanour of Arsenal’s sporting director Edu was striking as he emerged from a lift in the Emirates Stadium mixed zone after their win over Bayer Leverkusen in pre-season. With a beaming smile, he oozed charisma as he greeted those waiting.
It was a glimpse of the interpersonal skills that have helped the former midfielder establish himself at director level. “A people person,” is how the former striker Alan Smith describes him. Edu, a close ally of Mikel Arteta, is a popular figure at every level of the club.
It is partly for that reason that his resignation, to take up a role with the network of clubs run by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, comes as such a blow to Arsenal, where Edu has of course shown he is a lot more than an affable personality.
Since his return in 2019, initially as technical director, a few months before the appointment of Arteta, a process in which he was heavily involved, Edu has demonstrated considerable expertise in helping the club navigate a comprehensive and sometimes painful rebuild.
There have been mistakes as well as successes in the transfer market. Arsenal have recouped far less in sales than they have spent on signings. Ultimately, though, they are a team and a club transformed from where they were five years ago.
The progress is obvious and Edu has played a significant role.
He has backed Arteta but also challenged him. When discussing the overhaul of the squad in March 2022, and a level of upheaval described by the Arsenal boss as “unheard of”, Arteta smiled when asked if there had been any rows between the pair along the way.
“Not rows,” he said. “The good thing is that we have people who say what they think, then go away and work on it and present their reasons why, and that makes other people think.
“And the really important thing is that we decide whatever we decide on this table, then we leave the room, and it’s our decision. It’s not yours or mine, it’s our decision and we stick by it – even if we make mistakes.”
In the same interview, Arteta was eager to emphasise that the club’s decision-making process involves numerous others, including Arsenal’s Kroenke-family owners and board members. “Between all of us,” he added, “we have been very consistent and very united.”
Edu’s exit does not spell the end of that spirit of collaboration. It does, though, take the club onto unfamiliar ground and it comes at a time when the side are stuttering on the pitch.
Having won 16 of their final 18 Premier League games last season, Arsenal have only won five out of 10 this term. They are seven points off the top and six points worse off than at the same stage of the last campaign. Supporters are understandably concerned.
Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle has led to intense scrutiny of their performances this season but there are enough mitigating factors at play to ease any concerns over their direction.
They have been hit by a string of injuries, for a start, with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and new signings Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino among those afflicted. The injury problems, which are only now clearing up, have been compounded by suspensions following three contentious sendings-off.
As a result of those red cards, shown to Declan Rice against Brighton, Leandro Trossard against Manchester City and William Saliba against Bournemouth, Arsenal have played 16 per cent of their total Premier League minutes this season with 10 players.
They dropped points in each of those games, drawing with Brighton and Manchester City and losing to Bournemouth, but they were either in front or level at the time of the red cards. In each instance, the underlying numbers underline the impact of going down to 10.
Arsenal gave up chances worth 5.76 expected goals in those games, but around 85 per cent of that total came after the red cards. Brighton and Bournemouth had created only 0.09 and 0.03 xG respectively beforehand. Even City had only created 0.77.
Of course, Arsenal kept 11 players on the pitch against Liverpool and Newcastle and still dropped points. But exclude the minutes played with 10 players this season and their statistical output is at a similar level to last season, with plenty of chances created and few given up.
Arteta has been accused of negativity for his approach against title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. But his record stands up to scrutiny. Arsenal are unbeaten in three Premier League games against Pep Guardiola’s side and unbeaten in five against Liverpool.
As with Edu’s departure, it is worth remembering the bigger picture when assessing their awkward start. Arsenal are not where they want to be in the Premier League table. They have faced setbacks off the pitch as well as on it. But there is no reason for panic.
