Pires lifts lid on what Arteta and Edu's relationship is really like at Arsenal

Arsenal legend Robert Pires has provided an insight into Mikel Arteta and Edu's working relationship amid a challenging spell for the Gunners.

Technical director Edu sanctioned heavy spending during the transfer window, with Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard among the big-money arrivals at the Emirates.

Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Takehiro Tomiyasu also arrived to take Arsenal's total outlay to over £150million.

But results on the pitch have been poor, with manager Arteta leading the club to three defeats in four Premier League outings.

Recent reports suggested the relationship between Arteta and Edu was strained after numerous disputes over signings.

Edu and Mikel Arteta remain "very close" despite Arsenal's poor form, claims Robert Pires ( Image:

Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images)

But Pires has poured cold water on these claims, insisting the two Arsenal chiefs remain on the same wavelength.

"They are very close, they have the same ideas on football & like the same player profile," Pires - who scored 87 goals for Arsenal - told L'Equipe, per Metro. "Moreover, Edu would never sign a player without Mikel's agreement. On paper, it is a complementary duo, which can bring a lot to the club."

Arteta will hope his and Edu's signings begin to gel quickly as he looks to dig Arsenal out of their rut.

The Gunners showed signs of recovery with a 1-0 victory over Norwich City last weekend after losing their first three games of the season to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City.

"Now we have to put a run together," Arteta told reporters ahead of Saturday's clash with Burnley.

"We know how much we need the results and the performances will lead to that. If we do what we have to do against Burnley, we'll be much closer to achieving that.

"We've had a good week to prepare for the game. We know what we are facing. The challenge is going to be big, because it's one of the toughest places to go in the Premier League. We are ready for it."

Arteta also admitted Arsenal's meagre tally of three points from four games has left him "hurt", adding: "Life brings you things and you cannot decide it.

"There are certain things that you cannot control. What is coming to you is coming for a reason. Sometimes we don't want to see it, but it's coming for a reason - and it's probably for the right reason.

Where will Arsenal finish in the Premier League this season? Comment below.

"Then it's about how you take it and how you respond to that. The way that everyone around me responded is the way that I responded.

"That's why it's been fine. It's tough because it hurts, because you want to see something different. But what you want is not always what happens.

"Things happen for a reason and maybe what is happening had to happen and [maybe] it's going to be really good for the club and really good for myself and everybody experiencing that situation. We have to believe that."