Arsenal technical director Edu sat down for a conversation with the Sun and gave a candid interview with the British tabloid in which he discussed an array of topics regarding the Gunners and their transfer dealings, both ins and outs.
In fact, the Brazilian has given a number of interviews, having spoken with the likes of Sky Sports and Football London amid the busy summer transfer window. However, it is his choice of words during his sit down with the Sun that has gone viral.
The Emirates Stadium executive did not hold back when speaking about the north London giants' ambitions, slamming the club's culture from when he first returned to the club three years ago. Edu argued that the Gunners' aim should never simply be to finish in the top four, but despite this, many were content with the club's position when he arrived at the job.
"Arsenal should not be building to just fight for fourth. A club of our size cannot accept that," he said.
"That's what really hurt when I returned three years ago. I was asking, 'What's happening here? Everybody is comfortable and they're all OK with that?'
"Well, f*** you, because that's not the mentality of this club. I want everyone to feel, 'F***ing hell, now we are really going to go for things'.
"So we needed a squad with personalities that say, 'I am not losing this game — I will kill someone first but I don't lose'.
"And this summer I think we've added more players with that kind of character."
While the technical director did not mention anyone by name, it appears obvious that he was referring to certain players within the dressing room. As a result, it is understandable why Arsenal have undertaken a drastic squad overhaul, with only two player's from Mikel Arteta's first starting eleven being key members of the team.
Edu went a step further and highlighted one of the most toxic aspects of the dressing room earlier on in his role. He admitted that there were several experienced footballers at the club who were simply happy with picking up a hefty pay cheque and living in the English capital, making it hard for them to be moved on.
In fact, the former Highbury midfielder argue that 80 percent of the players were like this when he initially arrived, hence why many were forced out the Emirates Stadium door, with some even being paid off to leave. And once again, while Edu mentioned no names, it is hard not to see a reference to Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, two high earners who were shipped out after a drop in form and attitude.
"When a player's 26 or older, has a big salary and is not performing, he's killing you," the 44-year-old added.
"In the past, 80 per cent of the squad had those characteristics and there was no chance anyone would buy them."
"They don't have a transfer value and are comfortable on a long contract living in London.
"So we needed to clean the squad and if we had to pay some to go, I considered it an investment.
"It's better than having them blocking the path of another player. It's not a problem if a player has a big salary and performs.
"I know it's strange to go to the board and tell them, 'Sometimes it's better to pay a player to leave than to keep them'.
"I realize that hurts and some people say that it's expensive — but you have to take the problem out."
One simply needs to look at Arteta's current squad in comparison to the team he inherited from Unai Emery in order to understand how drastic the overhaul has been. While it came at a huge financial cost, Mikel's current crop of players are younger and more promising.
Last season, a lack of experience hurt the Gunners in their race to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with the north London giants eventually missing out on a top-four finish to bitter rivals Tottenham. However, having signed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Man City, as well as Fabio Vieira from Portuguese champions Porto, Arsenal have added talented footballers who know how to win silverware that are yet to hit their prime.
