Arsenal legend Paul Merson has launched a withering criticism of Gunners technical director Edu over four main errors in the transfer market.
Edu has come under scrutiny since he was appointed to the role two years ago as Arsenal have slipped down the Premier League table since he took charge of recruitment.
The former Brazil midfielder finds himself in the spotlight more than ever after Mikel Arteta's side were beaten 2-0 at Brentford last Friday night.
And former England ace Merson hit out at Arsenal's "lazy" approach to transfers under Edu's leadership while picking out four principal failures in recent windows.
He told Sky Sports : "It's worrying at Arsenal. You're still thinking: 'Where are they going?' Edu has come in, and the recruitment has been lazy, if I'm being honest.
"It's been: 'Oh, we'll take Willian on a free… we'll take David Luiz for cheap.' I remember years ago in football, managers were judged on signings.
"Sometimes I think Arteta is left behind, and I'm not sure how much of a say he has got in all of this.
"Why would you let Joe Willock go [to Newcastle ]? I'm not saying he's the answer, but he's come through the club and is going for £25m, that sort of money isn't going to change Arsenal.
"It's not like a Harry Kane or Jack Grealish sale where you get £100m and can rebuild the team.
"But Arsenal are prepared to pay Willian big money. Where is the future in that? It's quick fixes. Surely Willock is a future player and for the present, and can be involved in the plan."
Is Paul Merson's criticism of Edu and Arsenal fair? Have your say in the comments.
As well as taking issue with the decisions to sign Willian and David Luiz and let Willock depart, Merson criticised Arsenal for not snapping up Jonny Evans in the summer of 2018, which was before Edu's appointment.
Leicester City activated a £3.5million release clause in Evans' West Brom contract to bring him to the King Power in what has proved a shrewd piece of business.
Continuing his scathing assessment of the Gunners' transfer dealings, Merson added: "Jonny Evans is a good example.
"I was calling for Arsenal to sign him when he left West Brom - a very good player, who was at Manchester United at the wrong time. He would have been a success.
"But it felt like Arsenal didn't sign him because he played for West Brom. 'How can Arsenal be signing players from West Brom?'
"My question to Edu would be: 'What's the plan?'"
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