Invincibles Summer: Edu

From midfield spare part to boardroom lynchpin...

In January 2001, when Arsenal signed Edu Gaspar, not many fans would've believed that 18 years later he would look as though he would be returning to the club in such a key role, with an element of legendary status about him.

It couldn't have been much more of a turbulent first season for Edu in North London. Signed from Corinthians for £6 million, the plan was to bring him over five months earlier. Edu was unfortunately in possession of a fake Portuguese passport and it made work permits an absolute nightmare to obtain. When he did eventually sign, his sister was tragically killed in a car accident, once again stopping him making his Arsenal debut. Adding to the fact he didnt speak the language, it was a tough start.

It's a pointer to Arsene Wenger's relationship with his players and ability to man manage this group, the football very much came second to the person. He told Edu to take as long as he needed to settle, asking on a daily basis how his family were and if the club could be of any assistance. As Any Lawrence in her book "Invincible" notes, it would have been very easy for Wenger to send him back to Brazil on loan and wait another year.

But he persisted, and after a couple of seasons bedding into the Arsenal team, generally playing as a back up to Patrick Vieira, Ray Parlour and later his compatriot Gilberto Silva, the Arsenal fans began to see the real Edu. I remember specifically, the title win at Old Trafford in 2002, in which he was magnificent, he was kicked all over the pitch with Vieira, and perhaps a younger player or even Edu himself a few years ago would've gone into hiding. They simply kicked harder and Arsenal won the league at Old Trafford.

2003/2004 was the greatest season of many of the Arsenal players' lives, and Edu is certainly in that bracket. He forced his way into the team, even nudging Gilberto out onto the right hand side at times as he partnered Vieira in the middle. He managed several crucial goals, against Chelsea home and away, a brace away against Celta in the Champions League and he scored (well, claimed, cheers Sami Hyypia) a goal at Anfield in another crucial win.

He played the best football of his career that season, combining the technical ability seemingly inherent in all Brazilians, with the grit, fight and determination required in England and he played a key role, particularly around February/March time. He even collected the Barclaycard player of the month award, sharing the prize with Dennis Bergkamp.

The season after proved to be his final season at the club. It wasn't as successful as his Arsenal, and eventual overall career was ravaged by injuries to his knee. However, he did end his time at Arsenal on a high, scoring a penalty (just) in front of the North Bank as Arsenal hammered Everton 7-0.

He retired in 2010 after spells at Valencia and back at his home side Corinthians. And having become one of the decision makers as a director of football at that club, before going on to do a similar role (whatever a general coordinator is) for Brazil, it looks as though his football career is going to come full circle. Edu looks set to take on the role of Technical Director at the Emirates this summer.

How he does in the role remains to be seen, but what is clear, is that given his time as an Arsenal Invincible, he will be welcomed back with open arms by fans in North London.

Obrigado Edu.

If there is an Arsenal Invincible you would like us to focus on, please let us know in the comments!

@joehurd16