Eduardo Gaspar revealed why they paid off some players to leave the club.
Arsenal technical director Eduardo Gaspar has revealed why some players in the club were paid off and let go.
There has been a high turnover of players at the Emirates in recent seasons with big names like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil going.
Speaking with The Sun Eduardo said: “When a player’s 26 or older, has a big salary and is not performing, he’s killing you.
“In the past, 80 per cent of the squad had those characteristics and there was no chance anyone would buy them.”
Eduardo paid off the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac and Sokratis leave the club as well.
The Gunners chief further explained that: “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 realise that hurts and some people say that it’s expensive — but you have to take the problem out.”
The club are taking shape in under Mikel Arteta though they finished in the Europa League spot last season, the team is showing sign that they can compete in the league with their signings and better results in preseason.
