"Unfortunately I cannot say what I feel" – Arsenal chief Edu makes interesting claim after Manchester City lift Premier League title
Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has showered praise on Pep Guardiola after Manchester City pipped the Gunners to the 2023-24 Premier League title earlier this month.
The Gunners, who finished second with 84 points last season, pushed Manchester City to the final day in the Premier League title race this season. But, they failed to end their 20-year-long title drought as City finished on 91 points, two ahead of Mikel Arteta's side.
Speaking to Brazilian newspaper Estadao, Edu opened up on Arsenal's second straight runners-up finish and lauded Guardiola for his unmatched consistency. He said (h/t TBR):
"There are things that unfortunately I cannot say what I feel. But all the merit of the world to Pep for the training and work he has been doing since he started his career. I even joke with my son that I want to see if he is good even in rugby. It's a joke that I do because he has already won everything in football. Winning in all the countries he has passed and has been winning, he has a lot of merit."
Arsenal, who beat Manchester City in the FA Community Shield last year, recorded a whopping 28 wins in 38 league matches in the 2023-24 campaign. They scored 91 goals and conceded just 29 goals.
Manchester City, on the other hand, also won 28 times in the Premier League but lost just thrice, two fewer than the Gunners. They found the back of the net 96 times and shipped 34 goals along the way.
Guardiola, meanwhile, has lifted 17 trophies since joining Manchester City as their manager in 2016. Overall, the Spaniard has won a combined 38 trophies for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and the Cityzens.
Arsenal ready to trigger target's exit clause
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are willing to trigger Athletic Club forward Nico Williams' £43 million release clause this summer. They are hoping to wrap up a deal as soon as possible as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are also ready to do the same in the future.
Williams, who has also been linked with Barcelona and Chelsea, relished a stellar campaign for his Athletic this season. He helped them lift the Copa del Rey trophy and registered eight goals and 17 assists in 37 appearances across competitions for his club.
Should the Spaniard move to Arsenal ahead of the next season, he could prove to be a fine signing for them. He would offer competition to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, while strengthening the north London outfit's squad depth.