Theo Walcott names the Arsenal man who can influence Mikel Arteta if Barcelona want him

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Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott has paid tribute to the influence of Gunners sporting director Edu.

Arsenal endured a difficult night in the Champions League, falling to a 1-0 defeat away at Porto.

The Gunners gave the ball away in the dying seconds and saw winger Galeno whip a superb strike beyond David Raya to win it.

Arsenal will still back themselves to overturn that deficit in the second leg, with Mikel Arteta no doubt expecting a win at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta will be desperate for a run in the Champions League this season as the Arsenal project continues to move forward under both Arteta and Edu.

Theo Walcott on Arsenal’s Edu

Most of the praise over the last couple of years has gone the way of Arteta but technical director Edu has played a key role too.

The Brazilian has brought a real sense of calm to proceedings off the pitch after some rather chaotic years at Arsenal.

Arsenal have mostly found great value in the transfer market and most of the starting XI against Porto were signings from the Edu era.

Theo Walcott has now paid tribute to Edu, telling BBC Radio Five Live that players respect him because of his playing background.

Walcott feels that Edu really understands players and the personal connection has helped create a positive environment at Arsenal.

The former Gunners attacker even predicts that Arteta would reject a move to Barcelona right now, because he has received so much support from Edu during his time at the club.

Barcelona boss Xavi is leaving this summer and Arteta – a former Barca talent – is bound to be on their radar.

Walcott added that players not only want to play for Arteta but also Edu, believing that the Brazilian has created a great feeling at Arsenal.

“He’s had a very successful career in his playing time, and I feel that a lot of players have got a lot of respect for him because he’s been a player, he understands the role of a player, he understands how players think and feel and when you have that connection with someone that doesn’t actually physically play but has been there, it says a lot of how well the club will develop.”

“If someone like Barcelona come creeping for Mikel Arteta right now, I feel like he’s going to bat them away because I think the support that he has shown for Mikel, and I think Mikel will appreciate that support.”

“Edu is really influencing the players and he wants to be a part of that. Players want to play not just for the manager but for him, because they believe in what he is creating and that environment, and he’s set it,” he added.

Edu’s exceptional work at Arsenal saw him win the best sporting director award at the Golden Boy ceremony back in December.

Being a sporting director isn’t just about making signings and Edu has shown that, changing the entire feeling around Arsenal from the youth setup through to the first team – and Walcott’s praise is certainly justified.