Sporting director Edu reveals Arsenal are already preparing for summer transfer window

• According to Edu, Arsenal have already started planning for the summer transfer window
• Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the league but are keen to plan ahead
• The Gunners are already benefiting from the signing of Leandro Trossard

Arsenal sporting director Edu has admitted plans are already being drawn up for this summer’s transfer window.

The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the Premier League after last weekend’s 3-0 win in Fulham.

January-recruited Leonardo Trossard, who signed to sign Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk after Chelsea’s win against Arsenal, set up all three goals at Craven Cottage to continue his good start under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal’s quick move to bring in Trossard was widely praised and their sporting director insisted “good preparation” was key.

“It’s already started because you know what’s happening in the market, so everyone’s working and doing stuff,” Edu revealed when asked about summer transfer plans.

“Of course you also have to plan ahead to be prepared and when we come into the summer we are well prepared.

“When it was in the (January) transfer window I feel very comfortable with how I am preparing and how we as a club are preparing for these challenges.

“There are a lot of clubs in the Premier League, a lot of good managers, the competition is high but once you prepare well you feel comfortable.

“We went into the winter period very well prepared again and then started making some great decisions and important decisions. So far it’s helping the team perform well, that’s good, that’s good for everyone.”

Edu’s five-year plan appears to be on its way early as Arsenal hold their ground in their quest for a first title since 2004.

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

Former Brazil international Edu was at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm on Monday to watch Arsenal become the big winners at the London Football Awards, with all proceeds going to charity Willow Foundation.

Arteta was named Manager of the Year, Captain Martin Odegaard was named Player of the Year, Bukayo Saka was named Young Player of the Year and Aaron Ramsdale was named Goalkeeper of the Year with 12 goals conceded.

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

“Obviously the performance of the team and the way we’re doing at the moment is special because now I see around us that everyone wants to follow us, everyone wants to see us.

“We are excited about where we are right now, but we also need to understand that (there) is still a journey to go, (there are) still things to do.

“Obviously we’re happy to be in the moment we’re in now, but there are still things ahead of us and we have to move on.

“We train every week, we play as well as we can and don’t think about anything other than the next game.

“How can you get better? How can we improve ourselves? How can we get better as a team and also as individuals? And then at the end of the season we will see where we are.

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