NO REST FOR THE WINNERS

A stint on the bench at an all-stars game is likely to be Edu's only rest as he plots Arsenal's assault on Pep's champs

-  RYAN TAYLOR

ARSENAL chief Edu is conscious the 75 minutes he spent on the bench during a Brazilian All-Star match at Dagenham & Redbridge is likely to represent the only rest he enjoys this summer.

It is why it should come as no surprise the club's sporting director was already one step ahead of the game when he voluntarily substituted himself on Monday after a 15-minute cameo, in which his side had already shipped two goals.

The former Gunners midfielder is prepared to ditch his end-of-season holidays to spearhead their ambitious transfer plans as they seek to hunt down champions Manchester City in the next campaign.

"There is little time for me to rest, that's just part of my role," said Edu.

"We have to be available almost all of the time. I have to meet people, go and see people and also travel to make sure things happen. That's just the nature of my job and it's something I really like to do.