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A transfer surprise from the seaside.
While Mykhaylo Mudryk’s dramatic west London switch continues to irk supporters, Arsenal have put the debacle firmly behind them and completed a deal for unfavoured Brighton forward Leandro Trossard.
The move represents a rare Gunners foray into the January market but should bolster our options as we approach the business end of the campaign. Trossard, meanwhile, will no doubt relish the chance to escape Amex ostracization and contribute towards a historic title challenge.
Positives and negatives as Arsenal complete unexpected move for Leandro Trossard
However, many will question club ambitions and ponder if economic frugality is taking precedence over long-term sporting interests, with the Belgian international’s bargain-price availability perhaps the strongest motivation for our winter pursuit.
Pressure is already building for the new signing to prove his worth, and here are three viewpoints to consider about this unexpected investment.
#1 Positive: A good player with plenty to offer
Trossard already at London Colney this morning as Arsenal look to get everything done and submitted before the 12pm deadline.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) January 20, 2023
He may not belong in the world-class bracket, but Trossard remains a very good attacker who adds another offensive string to the Arsenal bow.
The 28-year-old arrives from the possession-based Seagulls and is therefore familiar with the half-space responsibilities he will assume under Mikel Arteta. He is both a capable finisher and an efficient creator in the final third and combines sharp movement with excellent close control to fashion goal-scoring opportunities.
Trossard also links up well with teammates and can pull off powerful shots on either foot, with impressive strikes against Man City and Liverpool this season also demonstrating his ability to deliver on the biggest stages.
A lack of physicality and struggles in isolated situations suggest he does not tick every box, but Trossard still provides a fantastic option off the bench and should be a solid addition.
Continued on the next slide…
#2 Positive: Provides crucial depth for a thin squad
Enhanced depth in the frontline was always the priority for Arsenal this month, and Trossard’s aforementioned talents mean he certainly meets that criterion.
Despite suspicions of this being a panic buy, the Gunners have tracked Trossard since his time at Genk and are acutely aware of the impact he can make in upcoming knockout competitions. The forward is currently enjoying his best season in the Premier League and offers genuine, accomplished backup for our overused wide players – unlike several such figures brought to the Emirates in the past.
His involvement will not drastically diminish the team’s overall strength and could help to get us over the line in May, when we may be in a better position to pursue our preferred targets. For around £25m, Trossard is good value for money and helps to facilitate rotation, something that could make all the difference.
Continued on the next slide…
#1 Negative: A change of course for the project?
Although it seems quite a logical, low-risk move, in some ways the Trossard deal symbolises a deviation from the much-heralded process and appears at odds with our long-term ambitions.
In an Amazon interview last January, Arteta spoke of his commitment to only bring “the best people and best players” to the club and has since shown a consistent aversion to conducting business if it disrupts the process, which led to the lack of striking additions last year and the refusal to meet Shakhtar Donetsk’s extortionate demands for Mudryk.
Meanwhile, Trossard is not as complete as other signings we have acquired, belongs to a different age bracket and appears to rank low among our winger targets. There are also concerns related to his attitude and he was dropped by Roberto de Zerbi at the weekend for behavioural reasons – an issue Arteta has dealt with ruthlessly during his Arsenal tenure.
Fans will rightly care little if the search for an immediate impact leads to immediate success and, on paper, this certainly looks like a good deal. But it is nevertheless out of keeping with the coach’s typically uncompromising, meticulous approach and perhaps epitomises our determination to end the campaign on a high.