Arsenal director Josh Kroenke insists Edu is the "final piece of a very important jigsaw puzzle" in the club's operational structure.
The Brazilian, who used to play for the Gunners, has joined as the club's technical director.
And Kroenke, son of owner Stan, thinks Edu's addition will significantly advance Arsenal's progress.
He said: "Edu represents the final piece of a very important jigsaw puzzle that is our new football operational structure."
"He is first and foremost an Arsenal man who understands the ethos of our club and, as an Invincible, he understands the mentality required from top to bottom across the entire club for us to return to the level at which we all expect to be competing.
"He joins Freddie (Ljungberg), Per (Mertesacker) and Steve Bould, all winners with Arsenal DNA, who love our club."
