Top 5 Arsenal Women signings of the Edu era - ranked | OneFootball

Arsenal announced on Monday that sporting director Edu has resigned from his position at the club, and wider reports suggest he will take on a new role with teams controlled by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

That’s according to The Athletic, who say contracts are yet to be signed, but the 46-year-old is expected to start working for the Greek businessman as soon as he is released from Arsenal. Edu, a former player, represented the Gunners between 2001 and 2005, and was part of the famous ‘invincibles’ team in the 2003/04 season.

Edu retired from professional football in 2010 and took up a director of football role with Corinthians soon after. He then spent time coordinating the Brazil national team before he rejoined Arsenal as a technical director in 2019.

In 2022, he became the club’s first ever sporting director, and he has played a significant role in shaping both the men’s and women’s teams in recent years. Earlier this year, he revealed in an interview with Brazilian outlet Desimpedidos that he has weekly meetings with both the head coach of the women’s side, as well as the women’s own director of football, Clare Wheatley, and expressed the desire to see them compete for major honours.

Following Jonas Eidevall’s departure last month, it was revealed by the BBC that Edu was expected to play a key role in appointing the Swede’s successor, alongside Wheatley.

90min have ranked the top five Arsenal Women signings from Edu’s time as sporting director…

5. Emily Fox

Emily Fox signed for Arsenal in the last January transfer window / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

USWNT defender Emily Fox signed for Arsenal from NWSL side North Carolina Courage in the 2024 January transfer window. In the second half of last season, she made 13 appearances across all competitions, and registered two assists in that time.Over the summer, the 26-year-old was part of the USA’s Olympic gold winning squad in France, making six appearances in total. This season, she has started the campaign strong with one goal and two assists in 12 appearances across all competitions so far.

4. Kyra Cooney-Cross

Kyra Cooney-Cross is Arsenal's most expensive ever signing / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Australia international Kyra Cooney-Cross became Arsenal’s most expensive ever signing when she joined the club from Swedish side Hammarby IF ahead of the 2023/24 season. Last season, she made 23 appearances across all competitions, and registered two assists in the WSL.This term, she’s started to find her feet in the Arsenal midfield, and has already made 11 appearances for the team. She impressed while with the Matildas during the last international break as she scored during their shock 2-1 win over Germany, and the 22-year-old has been tipped to achieve great things.

3. Victoria Pelova

Victoria Pelova signed for Arsenal in January 2023 / Visionhaus/GettyImages

It spoke volumes that Victoria Pelova’s ACL injury, sustained while on international duty with the Netherlands over the summer, felt like a sucker punch blow for Arsenal and their title hopes. The 25-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners from Ajax in the 2023 January transfer window, and she has been outstanding ever since.In the second half of the 2022/23 season, she contributed both goals and assists during her 16 domestic appearances for Arsenal. Last term, prior to her injury, she scored two and registered five assists in 22 WSL appearances. She was nominated for their 2023/24 Player of the Season award, and she’d become a huge creative spark in the heart of the Arsenal midfield. Her absence will be sorely felt this season.

2. Alessia Russo

Alessia Russo joined Arsenal as a free agent from Manchester United in the summer of 2023 / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

As far as big name signings go, Alessia Russo is understandably near the top of this list. The England star joined the Gunners on a free transfer from WSL rivals Manchester United in the summer of 2023, and it was one of the most high profile moves of the transfer window.In her first season at Arsenal, she scored 16 goals and registered four assists across all competitions. This term, she has already contributed three goals and two assists in her 12 appearances so far.

1. Mariona Caldentey

Mariona Caldentey joined Arsenal on a free transfer from Barcelona this summer / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Spain international Mariona Caldentey is at the beginning of her time in north London as she joined Arsenal on a free transfer from European giants Barcelona this summer. She has already scored four goals and registered one assist in her 12 appearances across all competitions so far.The 28-year-old tops this list given the wealth of experience she boasts following her time at Barcelona. She has won six league titles in Spain, three Champions Leagues and nine domestic cups in her home country. There’s also the small matter of a World Cup win in 2023.To sign a player of Caldentey’s experience and calibre on a free transfer from a giant like Barcelona represents a major coup for Arsenal and their hierarchy.