Analysis: Why Trossard appeals to Arsenal
Arsenal are in talks with Brighton over the signing of wantaway forward Leandro Trossard after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea.
The Gunners have not made an official offer for the Belgian forward, but are expected to formalise their initial interest into a bid.
Tottenham have already had an offer rejected for Trossard, and are instead pursuing Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo.
Trossard has entered the final six months of his contract at Brighton, but the Seagulls have the option of extending his existing deal by a further year.
Why Trossard appeals to Arsenal
At 28 years old (he’s 28 until he’s 29, just so we’re clear), Leandro Trossard differs in profile from Arsenal’s other recent signings. This is a player for the here and now. Experience over potential.
He might not set pulses racing like the explosive Mykhailo Mudryk, a player Arsenal regarded as a future superstar, but while his ceiling is not as high, Trossard offers plenty the Ukrainian does not.
For a start, there is the Premier League experience he has gained at Brighton, where he has made 116 appearances across four seasons, missing only a handful of games and scoring a healthy number of goals, with seven of his 25 coming this season.
That experience makes him a safe bet to slot straight in at Arsenal, which is precisely what is needed given their reliance on Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka as they seek to sustain their title challenge.
Trossard’s versatility is another asset. He is primarily a left winger, much like Mudryk, but this season he has also featured at No 10, as a false nine, and even at left wing-back. Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi’s predecessor, also used him on the right.
Mikel Arteta has often spoken of how highly he values players who can slot into different roles and Trossard, who is also a senior international for Belgium, can offer depth right across the frontline.
He looks a good fit stylistically too. De Zerbi felt his effort levels had dropped off in recent weeks amid the speculation around his future but the statistics highlight an impressive work-rate, with only three players – Kevin De Bruyne, Martin Odegaard and Jack Harrison – winning possession in the final third more times this season.
His age means he would not arrive with huge scope for improvement or re-sale value, but his contractual situation makes him a relatively cheap option and his proven quality is appealing.
