Joe Cole has questioned the work that Arsenal’s technical director Edu is doing behind the scenes following the club’s decision to offer new contracts to David Luiz and Cedric Soares.
The Gunners tied the beneficiary Soares to a four-year contract last week, despite the fact that the defender has not yet appeared.
Meanwhile, the big gain Luiz, 33, has been criticized for his performances this season, but his contract has been extended for another year.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is undergoing a significant rebuild in the Emirates, but Cole is not sure whether these recent decisions are pushing the club in the right direction.
“The only person I regret in all of this is Mikel Arteta,” said the former Chelsea star on BT Sport. “Because he looks like a great trainer and there seems to be some kind of system he’s trying to implement.
(Image: REUTERS)
“We know that David Luiz was a great player and he won everything in the game, but the performances this season, I don’t know who is making the decision to make him a contract for another year.
“Probably one of their biggest games of the season, Arteta has left him out.
“For me it’s a great sign, he left his most experienced player out of the biggest game against Man City – and then you give him another contract for years. [It’s] confused thought. “
Luiz’s 25-minute cameo against City particularly frustrated Arsenal fans after costing his team two goals with mistakes before earning a red card.
The Brazilian replaced the injured Pablo Mari, who also signed a permanent four-year contract after only three appearances for Arsenal.
Arteta is said to have been hit by Mari and Soares in training and their impact on the team.
But Cole added: “Cedric – if you’re looking to go to compete with Liverpool and Chelsea and go sign a 29-year-old fullback who probably hasn’t played at that level where he regularly competes against the best teams, and you’re asking him to do the difference, then you’re giving him a four-year contract.
“If I am an Arsenal fan, I would ask Edu and the people who make these decisions.
“I feel sorry for Arteta because she has many promises as a young manager.”
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