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Leandro Trossard has agreed a new contract with Arsenal, but the fresh terms are slightly confusing and that has made the decision to hand him a new deal a bad move by the club.
The Belgian has not penned an extension, but will receive a pay rise in order to reflect his status as a highly valued member of Mikel Arteta's squad. Trossard has been a reliable force since joining the Gunners midway through the 2022/23 season and has scored 28 goals and provided 23 assists in 124 appearances.
Despite his heroics during his time in north London, his role in the squad is not what it once was, perhaps not justifying the contract decision. He showed a slight regression in ability last season and that will likely continue this year as he takes on more of a backup role.
Following a summer of speculation that he could be leaving, Trossard is set to stay with the Gunners, but the decision to keep hold of him with the terms of his new contract is a bad move by the club.
Why Leandro Trossard's new contract is a bad move by Arsenal
Having recently recovered from an injury he picked up during pre-season, Trossard was an unused substitute during his side's opening day win over Manchester United. While the lack of appearance is likely down to his recovery, it also hints at a change in his role this season.
With more quality being added to the attacking line, including the impending signing of Eberechi Eze, the Belgian could potentially find himself fall slightly down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
He will still be a player who can be relied on as a suitable backup and should continue to be the clutch option he has been during his time in north London, but his status in the squad will likely regress throughout the campaign.
That is what makes the decision to increase his wages particularly bizarre. There would have been a priority to keep him happy, but Arsenal shouldn't have made life difficult for themselves by doing so.
This summer was the ideal time for the Gunners to sell Trossard on, regardless of his status within the club. With two years remaining on his contract, they would have been well within their rights to demand a hefty fee, but they may struggle to do that now.
Arteta won't want to sell the 30-year-old this year, meaning next summer will be the likeliest time Arsenal explore a potential departure. If Trossard has indeed declined by this time next year, suitors may not be particularly fond of matching his new wages, possibly making it difficult to sell him.
A failure to ship him off next year would likely mean he won't leave until the end of his contract in 2027 (if it isn't extended again) and that would make him yet another player to depart the club for free.
Trossard has done a lot for Arsenal since first joining and does deserve this raise. However, the timing is poor by the club and it will do them no good in the long-term, making the agreement on a new contract a bad move.