Edu says preparations for next season are already under way at Arsenal

Arsenal sporting director Edu has admitted plans are already being put in place for this summer’s transfer window.

The Gunners hold a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after last weekend’s 3-0 win at Fulham.

January recruit Leonardo Trossard, who signed after Chelsea pipped Arsenal to the transfer of Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, set up all three goals at Craven Cottage to continue his fine start under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal’s swift move to bring in Trossard was widely praised and their sporting director insisted being “well prepared” was key.

“It has already started because you know what is happening in the market, so everybody is working and doing stuff,” Edu revealed when quizzed on transfer plans for the summer.

“You have to plan, of course, ahead of people as well to be prepared and when we get to the summer, we are well prepared.

“When it was in the (January) transfer window, it makes me feel really comfortable in how I prepare myself and how we prepare ourselves as a club to face those challenges.

“In the Premier League, (there are) a lot of clubs, a lot of good managers, the competition is high but as soon as you prepare well then you feel comfortable.

“Again we went into the winter period really well prepared and then we started to make some great decisions and important decisions. So far, it is helping the team to perform well so that’s good, that’s good for everyone.”

Edu’s five-year plan appears to be coming to fruition early with Arsenal holding their own in pursuit of a first title since 2004.

The former midfielder was part of Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ that season and has been a key figure at the Emirates since his arrival as technical director four years ago.

Ex-Brazil international Edu was at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm on Monday to watch Arsenal become the big winners at the London Football Awards, where all proceeds raised go to the Willow Foundation charity.

Arteta claimed Manager of the Year, captain Martin Odegaard was Player of the Year, Bukayo Saka clinched Young Player of the Year and Aaron Ramsdale’s 12 clean sheets saw him earn Goalkeeper of the Year.

Edu added: “Well, I think we are in the right place in terms of planning really.

“Of course the performance of the team and the way we are doing at the moment is special because now I see around us everybody wants to follow us, everybody wants to watch us.

“We are excited about the place we are in at the moment but also we have to understand (it is) still a journey to go, (there are) still things to do.

“Of course we are happy to be in the moment we are now but there are still things in front of us and we have to keep going.

“Every week we train, we play the best way possible and don’t think about anything except the next game.

“How to be better? How can we improve ourselves? How can we be better as a squad and as individuals as well? And then at the end of the season we are going to see where we’re going to be.

“Our intention is to live week by week, game by game, enjoying the games and try to be the best version possible to finish in the best way possible.”