Mikel Arteta was overruled by Edu during the summer transfer window, according to reports in France, with Arsenal choosing to sign Thomas Partey over Houssem Aouar.
Arteta had made Aouar his top priority and told the club he would prefer a deal for the Lyon midfielder rather than Partey.
However, it was Partey who was signed from Atletico Madrid after technical director Edu expressed his preference for the Ghana international.
L’Equipe claims that Edu’s word ‘obviously had more weight’ as his preference was prioritised over the manager’s.
Partey has featured three times since being signed in a £45million deal on deadline day.
But talks had been ongoing with Lyon throughout the summer over a potential move for Aouar.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas was critical of Arsenal for not matching their valuation for the midfielder before refusing to sell him in the final days of the window.
Arsenal, however, were willing to splash that money on Partey instead despite Aouar reportedly being his preference.
That said, Arteta seems happy enough with his new man.
‘He grabbed the game in the most difficult period, he took responsibility, he was really comfortable on the ball, he made a lot of right decisions, he was really strong in the challenges in every transition moment.’
