EDU

Although he initially arrived in England under controversial circumstances, Brazilian midfielder Edu (full name Eduardo Cesar Daude Gaspar) would go on to become a popular member of the Arsenal squad amongst both players and fans. Having been recommended to Arsene Wenger by his compatriot, the Gunners' then left back Silvinho, Edu appeared set for a move to Arsenal in the summer of 2000 before he was found to be in possession of an invalid Portuguese passport. After months of complicated wrangling, the 22-year-old eventually completed his move to Highbury in January 2001 to provide competition for the likes of Patrick Vieira, Lauren and Gilles Grimandi in the Gunners midfield; however it wasn't to be the greatest of starts.

Replacing Freddie Ljungberg at half-time against Leicester City at Filbert Street, Edu was forced off just 17 minutes into his debut through injury and replaced by Dennis Bergkamp, while disaster struck on his first Highbury start as his own goal, coupled with Silvinho also finding his own net, contributed to Middlesbrough's shock 3-0 win and handed Manchester United the title. Edu's only other appearance that season came in the final ever game at The Dell on the last day of the campaign, Southampton winning 3-2, and he wasn't a part of the squad that suffered at the hands of Michael Owen in the FA Cup Final in Cardiff. Injury meant that Edu suffered the frustration of having to wait until mid-March, against Aston Villa at Highbury, to make his first league appearance of the following season and he duly celebrated the feat by scoring the opening goal in a 2-1 win as Arsenal raced towards the league title.

He had struck his first ever Gunners goal a week earlier in the FA Cup quarter-final at St. James' Park, with his only other goal of the campaign coming in the League Cup win over Grimsby. The Brazilian made 27 appearances in all competitions in his first full season, and was no doubt delighted to earn league and FA Cup winners medals in the process as the Gunners completed their second 'Double' in just four seasons. Edu came on as a 72nd minute substitute in the Cup Final against Chelsea in Cardiff, superb strikes from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg sealing a 2-0 win. (Mark Jones)

The arrival of fellow Brazilian, and World Cup winner, Gilberto Silva at Highbury in the summer of 2002 increased competition for places but Edu did start the season alongside Patrick Vieira in central midfield. He scored in a 3-0 win at Charlton in September and also in a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Blackburn a month later, but he rarely played 90 minutes; often being substituted or starting games from the bench. One of his more famous Arsenal goals arrived in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford in February, Arsenal winning 2-0 in a game often remembered for Ryan Giggs missing an open goal and Sir Alex Ferguson kicking a boot at David Beckham! Edu wasn't a part of the squad that beat Southampton in the final, but he was about to experience his best Arsenal season ever.

The 2003/04 campaign saw Edu make 48 appearances and score seven goals, although, despite his impressive form, he was never quite able to shake off the tag of 'squad player.' He forced a Sami Hyypia own goal in a 2-1 win at Anfield and scored in both games as the Gunners did the league double over Chelsea. Edu also netted the fourth of Arsenal's five in the astonishing 5-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan in the San Siro, and also hit two in the second round tie away to Spaniards Celta Vigo. He had earned his second league winners medal at the end of the campaign as Arsenal's 'Invincibles' achieved the remarkable feat of finishing the season unbeaten, Edu starting 13 league games and emerging from the bench in 17 others.

His final season at Highbury, however, was to be one wrecked by injury. He started just 10 games; scoring at West Brom and a penalty in a 7-0 win over Everton in what would prove to be his final ever game at Highbury. He came on for Robert Pires to play the second-half of extra-time in the FA Cup Final with Manchester United in Cardiff, and ended the day with a winners medal after the penalty shootout success. A fine way to end his Arsenal career and a week later he joined Valencia on a free transfer. (Mark Jones)