Arsenal sporting director Edu has suggested that the club are planning for a busy summer transfer window.

The Gunners have been extremely active in the last two markets, bringing in Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Matt Turner and Marquinhos since last summer's window opened for business.

Mikel Arteta's side are currently top of the Premier League table, five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, while they are also chasing success in the Europa League, level at 2-2 with Sporting Lisbon ahead of the second leg of their last-16 clash.

Edu, speaking at Monday's London Football Awards, said that the club were already planning for the upcoming market, as they look to build on what has been a hugely impressive campaign to date.

"It has already started because you know what is happening in the market, so everybody is working and doing stuff," he said when questioned on the summer window.

"You have to plan, of course, ahead of people as well to be prepared and when we get to the summer, we are well prepared.

"When it was in the (January) transfer window, it makes me feel really comfortable in how I prepare myself and how we prepare ourselves as a club to face those challenges.

"In the Premier League, (there are) a lot of clubs, a lot of good managers, the competition is high but as soon as you prepare well then you feel comfortable.

"Again we went into the winter period really well prepared and then we started to make some great decisions and important decisions. So far, it is helping the team to perform well so that's good, that's good for everyone."

A wobble between February 4 and February 15 saw Arsenal pick up just one point from three Premier League matches against Everton, Brentford and Man City.

However, Arteta's side have won each of their last five in the league against Aston Villa, Leicester City, Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham to remain at the top of the division.

Arsenal will be bidding to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League when they welcome Sporting Lisbon to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.

The Gunners then have back-to-back home league games against Crystal Palace and Leeds United ahead of the international break, with their next away match taking place at Anfield against Liverpool on April 9.

There will be no FA Cup silverware for the club this term, though, as they were knocked out of the competition by Man City at the end of January.